The Louisa Solar Power Project is a proposed renewable energy initiative on Muscatine Island. Orion Renewable Energy Group began developing the project with our local landowner partners in 2020. This project will generate up to 1,100MW of clean, renewable energy that will support future local and regional economic growth. Beyond energy production, the project will generate tens of millions in local property tax dollars, benefiting schools, emergency services, roads, and libraries. Additionally, participating farmers will gain a stable income source, helping them sustain their agricultural operations for future generations.
The solar and battery storage project is designed with environmental conservation in mind. It incorporates pollinator-friendly ground cover, which will enhance soil health for future agricultural use and help reduce soil erosion and water runoff. Extensive landscaping will also be installed and maintained by the project to complement the local area, provide wildlife corridors and support additional wildlife habitat.
Once operations conclude, the project’s facilities will be removed, and the land will be restored for agricultural use, as required both by local ordinances and agreements with landowners. To ensure that the financial resources to remove the project facilities are available under any scenario, financial security for the estimated removal cost will remain in place from the start of construction through the removal of the project, also in accordance with county requirements.
Please note that no project facilities will be installed within the City of Fruitland’s municipal boundaries.
More information will continue to be added to this website as the project development process progresses. Here is an overview map of the developable area for potential project facilities
In local tax dollars over 35 years of operations
Investment in Louisa and Muscatine Counties
Enough electricity to power ~200,000 avg. Iowa homes annually
This project will provide long-term benefits to local communities, including:
Orion wants to share the economic benefits of the project directly with the project’s neighbors. Our Solar Neighbor Program (SNP) offers annual payments to residences within 1/3 a mile from the project that are not owned by a participating landowner. Payments begin at the start of construction and continue throughout the lifetime of the project. The SNP is completely voluntary and those who participate are under no obligation to the project.
Orion partnered with the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine and Louisa County to establish the Louisa Solar Power Community Fund, which will provide millions of dollars to both communities over the life of the project. The project will make annual contributions based on the installed capacity, from a minimum of $200,000 up to $650,000 per year with grants intended to benefit the widest possible range of community members.