Iowa State researchers and utility Montezuma Municipal Light & Power have received a $9.5 million federal investment from the Department of Energy (DOE). The project will include a 3 MW solar installation with a battery energy storage system, two electric vehicle charging stations, replacing aging substations, load monitoring and control systems. The utility expects the microgrid to lower energy costs for residents by up to 18%, and reduce transmission costs by 34% and reduce energy purchases. The project also aims to build an energy workforce that can design, build and operate other resilient systems like this. The DOE has announced total funding of more than $366 million for 17 projects across 20 states and 30 Tribal Nations and communities.

Solar Dominates US Energy Capacity Growth
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has published data showing that solar accounted for over 75% of US electrical generating







