Utility-scale Wind and Solar Development in Iowa: Trends, Prospects, and the Land Factor
Date
2022
Authors
Chen, Jian
Major Professor
Advisor
Committee Member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
In 2020, Iowa ranked first in the United States for percentage of state electricity produced by wind energy, which supplied 57% of the state’s net electricity generation (IUB 2022). Conversely, in 2020, solar energy had a limited role in Iowa’s electricity generation, supplying less than 0.04% of the state’s net electricity generation (IUB 2022), which ranked 43rd in the United States.
In this article, we investigate the stark development and generation disparities between wind and solar energy in Iowa. We focus on utility-scale power plants only, meaning that compiled data applies to power plants that have a relatively large nameplate capacity (one megawatt (MW) is often used as a cut-off value).
Series Number
Journal Issue
Journal Issue
Is Version Of
Versions
Series
Academic or Administrative Unit
Type
Article