Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative’s community solar project, ACEC SunSource, offers Cooperative members the opportunity to power their homes and businesses with solar without the worries of buying, installing, and maintaining their own solar array.

ACEC values clean, renewable energy. Solar is one of the cleanest and most affordable renewable energy sources available. By grouping solar panels, costs can be shared, and power output can be maximized.

ACEC members can purchase the output of a panel(s) for varying lengths of time. (See Subscription Cost table)

Each month, the total energy (kilowatt-hours) produced by the solar array will be divided by 360 (number of panels) to determine the per-panel production. Each participating member’s account is then credited for the per-panel production (for each panel owned) at the Co-op’s general service rate that’s in effect at that time. (Current rates are shown in the table.) The credit is shown on your billing statement.

Example:
Let’s say that the entire array produces 15,000 kWh during August. That means the per-panel production for the month is 15,000 ÷ 360 = 42 kWh. A member who purchased one panel will receive a credit on his bill statement for $5.80 (42 kWh @ $.138).

 

Yes, to be eligible, you must be an Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative member in good standing with an active electric account.

  • Available to all ACEC members (residential, business, nonprofit, renters, owners) on a first-come-first-serve basis.

  • Flexible sizing to fit any budget.

  • Single one-time payment with no additional fees.

  • ACEC owns, maintains, and insures the array, which means you have nothing to install at your home, office building or property.

  • Protect against inflation – your savings increase as energy prices rise.

  • If you move elsewhere in ACEC’s service territory, your subscription moves with you.

  • If you move outside the service territory, your subscription can be transferred to another ACEC member or be is repurchased by the Cooperative.

The 100-kilowatt array is located at the Cooperative’s headquarters facility. The system is comprised of 360 panels, with half of them facing south and half facing north. This arrangement minimizes the total spatial footprint required while utilizing technology that optimizes output.

Energy production will vary from month to month and year to year based on how much the sun shines. The estimated annual production in the range of 470 kilowatt-hours per panel is expected.

You must sign a Community Solar Agreement, indicating your commitment term (5, 10, 15, or 20 years) and then make a one-time payment according to the Subscription Cost table.

Each month, the total energy (kWh) produced by the solar array will be divided by 360 to determine the per-panel production. Each participating member’s account is then credited for the per-panel output (for each panel owned) at the Co-op’s general service rate in effect at that time.

If your subscription produces more energy than your service consumes in one month, the extra energy goes into a “bank” on your account that will be used in the next month(s). You are encouraged to size your subscription as appropriate to minimize this possibility.

The Cooperative agrees to own, operate, maintain and insure the solar array for the duration of the program. Note that you are purchasing a subscription for the output; you are not purchasing the panel.

You agree to a 5, 10, 15, or 20-year term.

If you close your account, you may request that your subscription be transferred to another of your accounts, to another ACEC member or be repurchased by the Cooperative.

Interested members should sign a Community Solar Agreement available on our ACEC SunSource website page or contact the Cooperative at 888-788-1551 or by email to acrec@acrec.coop.