Waukee solar program extended to all Dallas County

Michael Arkwright checked the solar panels on the barn behind his home outside Waukee last week. Even with the sun facing the opposite direction, they were producing enough electricity to run his entire house, including the air conditioner, on a sweltering hot day. Arkwright, 66, had the solar panels installed two weeks ago after joining Solarize Waukee, the first solar panel group buy-in program in central Iowa. Launched in April, the program offers discount start-up costs for residents and business owners installing solar panels on their rooftops. Initially limited to property owners within the Waukee school district, the program was recently opened up to anyone with a home or business in Dallas County. The deadline to sign up was extended until the end of August. "This has been the best-kept secret in this area," Arkwright said. "I talk to people about this, and they just look at me with blank stares. The majority of people don't know this thing exists." Nine properties in Waukee have signed up for solar installation through the program, which surpassed its first "kilowatt goal" of 50kW in June. Hitting that goal lowers the start-up costs for participants even more. Costs will continue to decrease if the group can reach additional benchmarks of 100kW, 200kW and 300kW produced by the new solar panels. Even with state and federal tax credits, the initial cost to install solar panels can be a deterrent for many people.