Fact Sheet: Possible Application by MidAmerican Energy for Large-Scale “Solar Triangle Project” in Johnson County
This version current as of 11/26/2025
Overview
This fact sheet is about the possible application by MidAmerican Energy for a utility-scale, or large-scale, solar energy project in the unincorporated area of Johnson County. The possible project is known informally as the “Solar Triangle Project.” No application has yet been submitted but is anticipated to be submitted in 2026.
This fact sheet is not an endorsement or critique of the possible project (proposal) but simply a way to address common questions the County has received about it.
The Johnson County utility-scale solar webpage describes the overall application process and requirements for proposed large-scale solar arrays. That webpage provides links to any active applications as well as applications received or approved since 2023. The possible Solar Triangle Project is not an active application at this time.
What is the “Solar Triangle Project”?
MidAmerican Energy is expected to propose a ground-mounted utility-scale solar project in an area of unincorporated Johnson County just to the southwest of Iowa City. The proposal involves hundreds of acres and would generate 100 to 150 megawatts (MW) of power.
What is the project current status?
The company must submit a rezoning application to the County for this project to be considered. The County has not yet received the company’s application.
Utility-scale projects of certain sizes such as this possible project must receive permission to connect to the regional electrical transmission grid, the Midcontinent Independent Service Operator (MISO). The project developers have submitted their project to MISO. It is project J3107 in the MISO queue. The County is not involved in the MISO review process.
What is the history of this proposal?
A solar project developer, Megawatt, began looking into the possibility of utility-scale solar in the area sometime prior to 2020. The County became aware of the project possibility in spring 2020.
Megawatt talked with private landowners about leasing or selling land for the project and entered into agreements with those landowners. The County does not get involved in those discussions or agreements.
In 2023, MidAmerican Energy took over project development through an agreement with the original developers, who are still involved in partnership.
When will this proposal be officially submitted as an application?
It is up to MidAmerican Energy to decide when their application is ready to be submitted. They have indicated they expect to submit an application in 2026.
What type of interactions has the County already had with the developers about this project?
As with any possible development project, especially a complex one, prospective applicants may interact with staff prior to formally submitting an application.
In 2021, Megawatt made a formal request that Johnson County provide financial assistance related to the project. The Johnson County Board of Supervisors discussed the request at a public work session on April 21, 2021, and denied the request.
Since 2021, Johnson County Planning, Development and Sustainability (PDS) staff have periodically answered Megawatt’s and/or MidAmerican Energy’s application process and requirement questions by email, phone and small group virtual and in-person meetings (which were not public meetings). These interactions are in no way used to approve or deny an application.
Who will review and decide on this application?
As with any development application, the PDS Department will review the application and communicate with the applicants to address any outstanding technical, process or regulatory compliance issues. Once those issues are resolved, the application can be considered formally ready for public hearing.
PDS staff will then prepare a report recommending approval or denial of the application and place the application discussion on an agenda of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Once their vote is recorded, the County Board of Supervisors will consider the application. Both meetings will include opportunities for public comment.
Because of the project size, the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) will have a role in deciding whether the project moves forward. Projects that are 25 MW or larger must obtain a siting certificate from the IUC. MidAmerican Energy filed this project with IUC in February 2025: docket RPU-2025-0001.
Please consult Part 3: Application Process Overview at the utility solar webpage for details on the overall application process and decision-making.
What factors will be used to review this application?
Regulations and supplemental conditions in the County’s Unified Development Ordinance (informally known as the zoning code) apply to this project. Please consult Parts 2 and 4 at the utility solar webpage for details. A project checklist is part of the application process.
How will the general public and property owners in the area be kept informed about the application if it is filed?
Once PDS staff determine an application is considered complete, a public hearing is set, and the application status moves from “filed” to “active.” The official public notice, which lists date, time and location of the hearing, will be published in area newspapers, property owners within 500 feet of the project are notified by direct mail, and signs announcing the public notice are placed on the parcels involved in the applicant’s proposal. In addition, once an application becomes active, PDS staff may create a dedicated webpage linked from the utility solar webpage.