LINN COUNTY, Iowa — The Pleasant Creek Solar facility, formerly known as the Duane Arnold Solar project, is now fully operational in Linn County. The 200-megawatt (MW) solar plant is the largest in Iowa and is expected to generate enough electricity to power approximately 40,000 homes annually.

Construction of the facility was completed in two phases, with 50 MW becoming operational in March 2024 and the remaining 150 MW went online in December 2024.

The project was developed by Duane Arnold Solar LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources LLC., but is now owned by Alliant Energy.

“The new name Pleasant Creek Solar really pays homage to Pleasant Creek Lake which is near the project site. The lake actually was created when the Duane Arnold Energy Center was built and the lake served as an emergency water source for the generating plant,” Spokesperson for Alliant Energy Morgan Hawk said.

Solar power is a cost-effective way to generate clean energy without emitting greenhouse gases, helping to combat climate change and protect natural resources.

The site also features native, low-growing grasses and vegetation, which are beneficial for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. “Pollinator-friendly vegetation can also build soil nutrients, prevent soil erosion, and improve water quality, so a lot of environmental benefits,” Hawk added.

Alliant Energy says the development of the project helped drive economic growth in Iowa. Hawk tells Iowa’s News Now that during construction in 2024, there were around 250 workers on site each day, and of those workers, 98% were local to Iowa.

With the addition of the solar projects in Creston and Wever, both placed into service in 2024, Alliant Energy now generates 400 MW of new solar energy in Iowa.

“The project contributes to our company’s goals for the future and complements our wind resources (1,300 MW) that we have in the state of Iowa as well,” Hawk said.

Click HERE for more information on the Pleasant Creek Solar project.