Simple Solar is a community solar project, or a large collection of solar panels built and maintained by CFU located near Prairie Lakes Park.
It is currently the largest community solar project in Iowa and has a total capacity of 1.5 MW.
The project offers a flexible and affordable way to support clean energy. When the array opened more than 1,200 residents and businesses purchased solar units. Customers who purchased units receive a utility bill credit based upon the output from the panels.
Energy generation started at the site on April 1, 2016. The project is located near Prairie Lakes Park in Cedar Falls on eight acres donated by the city of Cedar Falls.
View real time solar energy output on our Simple Solar dashboard here.
Interested in solar units?
As customers who own units move out of CFU's service territory, CFU buys back units and they become available again for purchase. Call 319-266-1761 or email energyservices@cfunet.net to be added to a waitlist. Customers on the waitlist will be enrolled yearly in November if units are available.
To learn more about the Simple Solar project and units, visit our Simple Solar FAQs page.
| Quick Facts About Prairie Lakes Solar |
| 1,250 | Families, businesses and organizations purchased solar energy from the project |
| 1,500 killowatts | Generating capacity of Prairie Lakes Solar (AC) |
| 8 acres | Size of the site |
| 6,516 | Solar panels installed |
| 8,682 | Units of energy offered to the public. The project is 100% subscribed. |
| $270 | Upfront cost per unit paid by subscribers in 2016. |
| 20 years | Lifetime of the project. Bill credits will be paid every month for 20 years to customers who purchased energy from the project in 2016. The credits are based on the amount of energy generated each month and the market price of electricity. |
See the current and cumulative output from the Prairie Lakes Solar garden on our live dashboard.
FAQs
Learn more about the Simple Solar project and units by viewing our frequently asked questions.
Overhead view
Get a bird's eye view of the Prairie Lakes Solar garden from this one minute aerial video.
Progress Photos
See the Simple Solar project take shape