FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BOISE, ID – March 9, 2021 – Clēnera LLC is pleased to announce that as of March 8, the 127.5 MWDC Wapello Solar photovoltaic project in Louisa County, Iowa has been delivering energy to the grid. Located near Wapello, the project was developed by Clēnera, a company that acquires, develops, builds, and manages utility-scale solar farms and energy storage facilities throughout the United States. In addition to acting as the project developer, Clēnera is also providing ongoing asset management for Wapello Solar LLC.
Clēnera partnered with RES (Renewable Energy Systems) to construct Wapello Solar in six months, creating approximately 250 jobs at peak construction. Despite beginning construction during the COVID-19 pandemic, Wapello Solar progressed with little to no delays.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the commercial operation of our first solar project with Clēnera,” said Tim Jordan, RES Senior Vice President of Solar Construction. “We are proud to make clean energy a reality in Iowa and we thank our team for their hard work and support to reach this milestone project.”
Located on nearly 800 acres, Wapello Solar features 318,000 bifacial solar panels supplied by Risen Energy that are fixed to FTC Solar’s Voyager single-axis trackers, which are optimized for bifacial performance. The 34 SunGrow inverters work to convert the 127.5 megawatts of direct current into alternating current. Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO) is purchasing the demand and energy from Wapello Solar through an exclusive 25-year power purchase agreement.
“We are pleased that Wapello Solar has reached commercial operation,” said CIPCO Executive Vice President and CEO Bill Cherrier. “This is an important source of energy for our member-owners. With our mission of providing wholesale power and services in a safe, reliable, and cost-effective manner, the completion of this project helps meet member expectations.”
“Clēnera is ecstatic about this new solar project and the successful partnership with CIPCO that made it possible. Wapello Solar is now Iowa’s largest solar project,” said Jason Ellsworth, CEO of Clēnera. “We look forward to other projects with CIPCO and other excellent utility partners.”
About Clēnera
Clenera, LLC (“Clēnera”) is a privately-held renewable energy company headquartered in Boise, Idaho. Clēnera acquires, develops, builds, and manages utility-scale solar farms and energy storage facilities throughout the United States. Combining breakthrough technology with a deeply integrated team approach, Clēnera provides reliable, affordable energy systems and helps its utility partners become clean energy leaders in their communities. Clēnera’s current operating portfolio exceeds 1.4 GW, with more than 13 GW of solar and storage assets in development. Learn more at www.clenera.com.
About Central Iowa Power Cooperative
CIPCO is a generation and transmission electric cooperative owned by member cooperatives and the communities they serve. With a balanced, 24/7 energy portfolio, CIPCO is committed to providing cost-effective, safe, and reliable energy. CIPCO and its 13 members serve over 300,000 Iowans in 58 Iowa counties. CIPCO’s offices are located in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Creston, and Wilton, Iowa. For more information visit www.cipco.net.
About RES
RES is the world’s largest independent renewable energy company active in onshore and offshore wind, solar, energy storage, transmission and distribution. At the forefront of the industry for 39 years, RES has delivered more than 19 GW of renewable energy projects across the globe and supports an operational asset portfolio exceeding 7 GW worldwide for a large client base. We understand the unique needs of corporate clients and have secured 1.5 GW of power purchase agreements, enabling access to energy at the lowest cost. RES employs more than 3,000 people and is active in 10 countries. For more information, visit www.res-group.com.
For more information, please contact:
Lauren Sigler
Clēnera Renewable Energy
lauren.sigler@clenera.com
208-329-4880
(Above photo courtesy of RES)
