Renewable Resources

Before making an investment, RVEC encourages members to learn about the benefits, costs, and important considerations of solar.

Our team provides guidance on system sizing, interconnection requirements, safety, and how solar will work alongside your cooperative electric service.

Considering Solar? Start Here.

Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative (RVEC) supports its members who are interested in exploring solar energy options for their homes. Before starting a project, there are a few essential things you need to know.

Before committing to a solar project, please contact us at (712) 659-3649 or info@rvec.coop.

Our Member Service Director can help evaluate your goals and ensure that your system meets your expectations and budget.

He has experience reviewing solar proposals and is familiar with RVEC’s solar interconnection policies—his guidance can help you avoid costly missteps.

If you've already researched the type, size, and placement of your solar array, we will need to study how your project will affect RVEC’s electric grid.

If any cooperative-owned equipment (such as a transformer) requires an upgrade or any additional equipment, you may be responsible for those costs.
All systems must meet our technical and safety requirements to be connected to the grid.

Most members choose to stay connected to RVEC’s system as a backup energy source. If you plan to do so:

You’ll still be billed our standard monthly facility charge.
You’ll also pay for any electricity you use from RVEC if your solar system doesn’t generate enough.

This helps cover the cost of maintaining the infrastructure needed to provide you with reliable power when your system isn’t producing.

Let’s Work Together for a Cleaner Future

At RVEC, we appreciate your interest in reducing your environmental impact. We’re here to help ensure your solar project is a success for you, your budget, and our electric system.

Community Solar

Community Solar

Become involved in solar energy without the additional cost, construction, insurance and maintenance required with a privately-owned solar array.

Check and see what the array is currently producing –

Subscriptions Are Available

With the community solar project, RVEC member-owners have the opportunity to purchase subscriptions to the energy output. In return for their investment, member-owners will receive a monthly bill credit for their share of the energy produced. This means they have the benefits of affordable, renewable energy without the worries of construction, insurance and maintenance.

How the Program Works

RVEC member-owners subscribe to the amount of production that fits their energy goals and budget.

Subscribers receive a monthly credit that is applied to their electric bill that is equal to the percent of community solar production to which they subscribe.

There is no limit to the number of units a member-owner may subscribe to, but the excess credits are forfeited at the end of the year. RVEC will assist member-owners in determining the appropriate number of units.

Subscriptions may be transferred with the RVEC service territory, assigned to another member, or sold back to RVEC upon approval of the Board.

About the Program

Subscription Price: $700.00 per unit of production.

Subscription Contract: Each subscription is a 20 year program for a limited time on a first-come, first-served basis.

Module Info: 147 kW (ac) utility-scale solar array is comprised of 584 – 345 watt (DC) high quality modules.

Production: Each unit is estimated to produce about 347 kilowatt hours annually.

Benefits of Community Solar

·Avoid future energy cost increases – if wholesale power rate go up, so does your credit

·Enjoy the benefits of solar without having it installed on your property

·No maintenance, insurance or repair responsibilities

·Purchase subscriptions to match your usage

·See real time energy production online

·Production credits appear on you monthly electrical bill

Who Can Participate

Any active RVEC member-owner is eligible. Any non-member or member-owner can purchase and gift a subscription for another member of RVEC.

How Many Subscriptions Do I Need

Every member-owner of RVEC that has an active account is eligible to subscribe to at least one subscription. Member-owners can subscribe to the output of as little as one module or modules – depending on your average monthly usage from the last 12 months. Excess credit are forfeited at the end of the year.

Get Started Today

Iowa Choice Renewables

Considering Installing Solar?

Iowa Choice Renewables, LLC has been established by a group of rural electric cooperatives in Iowa with deep roots in delivering safe, reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible electricity. We are proud to provide a local trusted renewable energy option.

Those interested in owning their own solar facility are encouraged to start by setting their goals for such a project. Information in this area, and more, is available in the Iowa Energy Center's Solar PV Energy Guide. The guide is available in PDF format at www.iowachoicerenewables.com. Once you've set your goals, it is important to implement energy efficiency before installing a solar system. This can save you money by reducing the size of the solar facility investment. After setting goals and implementing energy efficiency, make sure to ask questions such as "Are building permits required?"

If owning your own solar facility is the right option for you, working with Iowa Choice Renewables means you will have access to high-quality solar products and knowledgeable representatives that can help you analyze your electric use history and renewable energy sizing needs.

Visit IowaChoiceRenewables.com for more information or contact our office for more information.

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