Pella's Zon Veld Solar Farm
Zon Veld (Sun Field) Solar Farm located in Pella houses 3,672 panels and generates enough energy to power 121 homes. The solar farm was built as a partnered effort with Pella Cooperative and Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO) to bring solar power to our members. Utility-scale solar benefits all members in the system by providing clean energy across the service delivery area. Select the graphic at the left to view production of the Zon Veld site.
Solar Farm Stats:
- Located in Pella
- 3,672 panels
- 28 inverters (28 and 36 kW units)
- 1.175 MW DC capacity, .928 MW AC capacity
- 1.4 MWH
- 6 fenced acres
Pella Cooperative Electric is a distribution cooperative, which means we distribute power and do not generate our own electricity. PCEA purchases its electricity from Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO).
CIPCO is committed to providing environmentally-friendly energy through a diverse mix of wind, hydro, solar, landfill gas, natural gas, coal and oil energy resources.
1CIPCO’s purchase power agreement for Wapello Solar LLC locks in stable, long-term pricing and avoids the risks associated with rising fuel costs. Renewable energy credits (RECs) are not included in this agreement.
2CIPCO invests in the development of renewable energy projects in several ways. We operate six small-scale solar arrays near communities we serve and retain the renewable energy credits associated with each. We also contract with energy producers for the electricity output from wind, hydro, and methane gas from a landfill (converted into electricity). CIPCO cannot claim these resources as renewable within our supply portfolio as we have either sold to third parties or do not receive the renewable attributes associated with the electricity produced from these renewable power sources. By selling these attributes (RECs), we not only support other organizations in meeting their renewable energy goals, we also generate revenue to help us lower our wholesale power rate to our 12 Member-owner distribution cooperatives and 15 municipalities.
3A percentage of market purchases exist within the portfolio to meet additional supply needs not covered by existing contracts or CIPCO-produced generation. Weather volatility and unplanned operational events at power plants may also impact market purchases.
