holiday gift box with twinkle lights

Giving the gift of solar

Alliant Energy's Cedar Rapids Community Solar garden solar blocks seen as unique gift ideas for family members or donations to benefit nonprofit organization this holiday season.

As the holidays approach and philanthropic opportunities abound, Alliant Energy has witnessed our electric customers in Iowa purchasing Cedar Rapids Community Solar garden solar blocks as unique gifts for their family members or using the donation program to buy solar blocks to benefit their favorite nonprofit organization. 

Since the project announcement in July, we have seen subscriptions from a diverse mix of nonprofit organizations, small business owners and residents alike. 

Alliant Energy’s Community Solar program provides an opportunity for customers to share the benefits of solar power without having to install solar panels on their property. They receive a credit on their monthly electric bills for every block of energy purchased. The credits begin once the facility is in service and last for 20 years. Participants realize cost savings over the life of the solar facility. 

“We subscribed to the Alliant Energy Community Solar garden as we were looking for a way to support sustainable, clean energy since it was not feasible to put solar directly on our house,” said Joe Sharp, Alliant Energy Community Solar subscriber. “We were thrilled to learn we could also help family members reduce their energy bills. We chose to purchase additional solar blocks to donate them to our three oldest children. We are glad we could help them benefit from this opportunity as well.”  

With 4,500 solar blocks remaining for subscription, those considering giving the gift of solar this holiday season or donating to their favorite non-profit organization, can purchase solar blocks and the energy output from the gift will provide their recipient a bill credit for the next 20 years. 

Customers wanting to purchase solar blocks for those who are not Alliant Energy customers, can still participate by donating solar blocks to their favorite nonprofit organization in their name.  

Enrollment remains open for Alliant Energy’s Iowa electric customers on a first-come, first-served basis. Solar blocks are priced at $395 each. For more information, to subscribe, gift or donate, visit alliantenergy.com/communitysolar.  

The Cedar Rapids Community Solar Garden is currently being constructed north of the 1100 block of 33rd Avenue SW on company-owned property with an estimated completion of late summer 2023. At maximum output the 4.5-megawatt solar project could power 3,600 homes.  

The Cedar Rapids community solar garden is an important milestone in Alliant Energy’s Clean Energy Blueprint, the company's roadmap to accelerate its transition to renewable energy. It puts the company on a path to achieve its Clean Energy Vision, which includes a goal to attain net-zero carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation by 2050. 


Alliant Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: LNT) provides regulated energy service to 1 million electric and 425,000 natural gas customers across Iowa and Wisconsin. Alliant Energy's mission is to deliver energy solutions and exceptional service customers and communities count on – safely, efficiently and responsibly. Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL) and Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL) are Alliant Energy's two public energy companies. Alliant Energy is a component of Bloomberg’s Gender-Equality Index and the S&P 500. For more information, visit alliantenergy.com and follow Alliant Energy on LinkedIn, FacebookInstagram and X.

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