Polk supervisors to vote on $1.8M solar field project

Catch up quick: The field is part of the county's 2021 plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 90% by 2040.

• Solar panels were previously installed at Polk County's administration building, River Place offices and North Side Community Center buildings.
• The county is also transitioning to an electric-based vehicle fleet.

Stunning stat: The field would generate just over 1 megawatt of power, an amount that could power between 750 and 1,000 homes at once.

By the numbers: The project would cost the county between $850,000 and $900,000 once tax credits or other incentives were factored in.

• The system would save the county about $100,000 a year in electricity costs at the jail, with lifetime savings of more than $2.5 million, Adam Draayer of the county's information technology staff tells Axios.

What we're watching: How far the county pursues additional solar, with dozens of potential sites outlined in the county's Climate Action Plan, including Prairie Meadows Casino and the Iowa Events Center.

Related: DSM's first municipal solar field