Iowa State University is constructing a solar farm on university land

Iowa State University in Ames is constructing a solar farm on university land south of the campus. 

The Iowa Board of Regents has approved a plan to develop the solar farm and to enter into a lease agreement with Alliant Energy, which will design, construct, own, operate and maintain the installation.

The up to 900-kilowatt solar farm, at maximum output, could power 230 homes annually and will provide an equal amount of electricity to nearby teaching and research farms.

The solar panels will be installed on land that is part of animal science teaching and research farms managed by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and its Department of Animal Science. 

Construction is expected to begin late in 2022 or in 2023.