Clean Energy Breakfasts
Energy Breakfasts are a well-loved tradition among Energy Districts. The Winneshiek Energy District started holding monthly breakfasts in 2015, and over the years has hosted scores of presentations by experts on solar energy, electric vehicles, energy efficiency, finance, public policy and other topics across the clean energy field. In early 2020, when Covid shut down face-to-face meetings and Zoom technology became available, Winneshiek’s breakfasts went online. The archive of breakfasts, including recordings from 2020 to the present, is available here.
Solar Energy Breakfasts
From November 2022 to February 2023, Johnson Clean Energy District held a monthly series of breakfast meetings about solar energy and its role in supporting economic, equity, and environmental improvements in the region. The hybrid meetings were held at MERGE in downtown Iowa City and attracted local and state policymakers, business and not-for-profit leaders, and homeowners.
Zoom recordings and slide presentations for each meeting can be found below.
Thanks to Cook Appraisal LLC; Iowa City Downtown District; Community Foundation of Johnson County; and Clean Energy Districts of Iowa for assistance in this program.
Iowa City Solar 2035 is a collaborative study by JCED and UI’s Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities exploring how solar energy can support energy reliability, equity, and environmental goals in the City of Iowa City
Resources
View the Full Meeting
View the presentation slides
Speakers
Scott Spak, UI Planning and Public Affairs
David Osterberg, Common Good Iowa
A massive new federal program, the Inflation Reduction Act, will greatly improve economics economics of solar for for cities, schools, and private homes. What are Johnson County cities doing and how can this new program help?
Resources
View the Full Meeting
View Presentation Slides (City of Hills)
View Presentation Slides (Federal IRA Funding for Solar)
Speakers
Tim Kemp and Kelley Schlitz, City of Hills
Steve Guyer, Iowa Environmental Council
Policy changes needed at the state level to increase flexibility in how cities generate and use solar, including community solar.
Resources
View the Full Meeting
View Presentation Slides
Speakers
Stratis Giannakouros, moderator
Lewis Butler, Iowa Solar Energy Trade Association
Andy Johnson, Clean Energy Districts of Iowa
Warren McKenna, Solar Consultant
Solar industry and banking sector experts discuss financing options for solar projects in public and private spaces.
Resources
View Full Meeting
View Presentation Slides (Project Financing)
Speakers
Casey Cook, moderator
Chris Hoffman, Eagle Point Solar
Jason MacDuff, President, Greenpenny Bank, Decorah