Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand recently did a review of solar energy projects at Iowa’s schools, cities and other public entities. A total of 80 communities are currently using solar energy installations across the state.
Those participating in this review reported annual savings as high as $80,000. The average annual savings was more than $26,475, and the average savings over the lifetime of the installation was $716,437.
If each county, each county seat, and each school district created a solar installation of the average size of these installations, over the installations’ lifetimes Iowa taxpayers could expect to net over $375 million in savings.
Iowa has 99 counties, and each county has a county seat, with Lee County having two county seats. Iowa has 330 school districts. If each of these entities created a solar installation matching the average installation in this report, that would total 528 installations. Using the average estimated savings figures from this report, these installations would net Iowa taxpayers over $375 million in savings over the lifetimes of the installations.
Local entities describe their solar energy programs as cost-effective, environmentally sound and a source of pride. In one school district, the savings equaled a teaching position. In another, the savings allowed the district to keep the school open and avoid consolidation.
Cities like Knoxville teamed up with their school district for joint savings, freeing up dollars in the general fund for other uses. Mason City calls its solar program a “win-win” by reducing its carbon footprint and operation costs.
The solar recommendation report is available for review on the Auditor of State’s web site at https://auditor.iowa.gov/audit-reports.
Investments in energy efficiency can compound savings from renewable energy sources. Interested in other ways to save taxpayer funds through efficiency? Check out our new Public Innovation and Efficiency (PIE) program at: https://www.auditor.iowa.gov/pie/pie-online.
Bennett school reviewed
One of the entities reviewed was the solar panels used by the Bennett Community School District, which saves the district approximately $53,000 per year. According to the report: Projected cost — $500,000 that can be paid for in part from PPEL and Capital Project funds, while allowing the savings to free up money in the school’s general fund.
Following are survey questions and answers with regard to Bennett school’s solar project:
What has been the feedback from the public with this move? Answer: Nothing but positive, it has helped with the cost savings to keep our school open.
What cost savings has the entity seen with this project? Answer: Eliminated our electric bills and fuel oil bills. Help to save our General Fund.
What advice would you tell communities that are looking at moving toward this? Answer: If mounting on roofs, put on new roofs first. We had to take all of our panels down after 3 or 4 years and put on a new roof. Lost a lot of harvesting of the sun.
What do you wish you could change about the process? Answer: Wish we would have done the project years earlier.