Luther College will receive an award from Iowa Governor Terry Branstad for its solar energy project

Luther College will receive an Environmental Excellence award next week from Iowa Governor Terry Branstad. The award will be for "Special Recognition in Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy" for the college's work in the field of solar energy.

The Luther College Solar project, the largest single solar energy production facility in Iowa, went on line in August 2012 and was dedicated in October 2012.

The field of 1,250 solar panels powers Baker Village, an all-electric student housing complex that utilizes geothermal energy for heating and cooling. The 280-kilowatt solar facility is estimated to offset 426,515 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. Luther is leasing the solar array from Decorah Solar Field, LLC, which is owned by Decorah resident Larry Grimstad.