This page provides links to three different solar energy topics: private solar, utility-scale solar, and solar serving Johnson County facilities.

1. Private Solar

Private solar array projects in the county's unincorporated area: Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System guidelines and checklist.

Tips for purchasing solar for your own property: Iowa Solar Energy Trade Association consumer site.

Solar group buys for the public: Johnson County is not currently hosting a program. Programs were offered in conjunction with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association in 2018, 2020 and 2021.

2. Utility Scale Solar

The Utility Scale Solar Overview website includes information and links on these topics:

     General information and guidance on the application process

     Applicants' Proposed Utility Scale Solar Projects

     Existing Utility Scale Solar Sites

3. County Facilities: Onsite Arrays and Online Portals

In 2015, Johnson County was the first county in Iowa to enter into a power purchase agreement (PPA) for solar photovoltaic arrays to power local government buildings. Since then, the County has completed that initial PPA (and now own those arrays) entered into additional PPAs and made several outright purchases of solar arrays.

Access real-time solar energy production, as well as past data, by clicking on the links below. Please allow up to 15 seconds for each dashboard to load.

PPA Solar Arrays

Administration Building Solar Array 85.8 kW (ground-mounted; PPA, built 2016)

Health and Human Services Building Solar Array 159.6 kW (roof-top; PPA, built 2016)

Owned

Ambulance Service and Medical Examiner Facility Solar Array 68.6 kW (roof-mounted and trellis; owned, built 2017)

GuideLink Center Solar Array 144 kW (rooftop; owned, built 2021)

Secondary Roads/SEATS fleet maintenance and wash bay 15.14 kW (ground-mounted; originally PPA, now owned; built 2015) Portal link not available due to changes in provider platform.

Secondary Roads Solar Array 70.56 kW (ground-mounted array; originally PPA now owned, built 2015)

Arrays on Conservation land: Conservation solar and select the Solar Energy drop-down