By Andy Anderson
Residents of Osage and surrounding communities will have the opportunity to experience solar energy up close during a guided tour of Maple City Solar on Thursday, Nov. 6, at 9 a.m. The event, part of the Iowa Reliable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (Iowa R-STEP) program, is hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and requires advance registration.
The Maple City Solar project features a 1.5-megawatt array that generates approximately 3.4 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to power around 425 homes. Beyond energy generation, the site serves as a research hub, studying how solar installations affect soil health, groundwater protection, and local ecosystems.
Participants on the tour will learn about pollinator-friendly plantings, wildlife habitat benefits, and ways solar sites can complement agricultural and rural environments. Organizers emphasize that such tours help bridge the gap between renewable energy technology and community understanding.
“Seeing projects like Maple City Solar up close provides context you can’t always get from reading reports or presentations,” said Luke Seaberg, community and economic development specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Tours like this give people a chance to ask practical questions, talk directly with site operators and see firsthand how renewable energy connects with Iowa’s communities.”
The Iowa R-STEP program is a statewide collaboration between ISU Extension, Iowa State faculty in planning, economics, and engineering, and nonprofit partners such as the Iowa Environmental Council, the Center for Rural Affairs, and the Great Plains Institute. The initiative is one of eight projects nationwide supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.
Photo Credit: istock-simplycreativephotography
Categories: Iowa, Energy, Rural Lifestyle