Luther solar array would be the largest in the state of Iowa

First came the wind turbine, now comes a solar energy project.

Luther College has won approval from the Decorah City Council of its site plan for a solar energy project on Pole Line Road.

The school is planning to install 1,250 solar energy panels on two acres of an 8.5 acre piece of property along Pole Line Road, next to the Dr. Pepper bottling company plant.  The energy generated by the panels would be equal to the electricity consumed by all of Luther's Baker Village, with the exception of the Commons building.

Luther College will work with Decorah Solar, a company owned by Decorah businessman Larry Grimstad, to install the solar arrays and hook up to Alliant Energy power lines.

The site plan had earlier won approval from the Board of Adjustment and from the Planning and Zoning Commission and received unanimous approval Monday night from the Decorah City Council.