Grow Solar Polk County relaunches to provide solar panel discounts

Catch up fast: The program launched last year and is coordinated by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), The Nature Conservancy in Iowa and 1000 Friends of Iowa.

• Organizers hold a series of free, hour-long informational sessions known as "Solar Power Hours" to provide information and answer questions.

By the numbers: More than 380 people attended last year's sessions, resulting in a combined 432 kilowatts of solar added to 52 properties.

• Owners invested $1.2 million — an average of roughly $23,500 — and are saving just over $1,000 a year in utility costs, spokesperson Jessica Maldonado said.
• The program also saved participants at least $51,800 off the base prices of their systems, Maldonado said.
• The systems save the equivalent of 406,000 pounds of coal being burned, according to the group's estimates.

Driving the news: The first of at least 14 Solar Power Hours this year is today at DSM's Franklin Avenue Library, starting at 6pm.

• A virtual session will be held June 27 at 1pm.