Iowa

IA

HF 2046 / SF 2056 — Plug-In Solar Device Consumer Access Act

Deferred
Current Status
Last verified: April 2026

Legislative Status

Deferred until 2027. HF 2046 and SF 2056 were introduced but died at the Iowa funnel deadline in February 2026 without receiving a committee hearing. Sponsors plan to reintroduce in the 2027 session.

Sponsored by: Rep. Charley Thomson

Legislation Progress

Introduced

15%

pipeline complete

Introduced
In Committee
Passed Committee
One Chamber
Both Chambers
Gov. Desk
Enacted

Passage Likelihood

20%

Died at funnel deadline before any committee hearing. Republican trifecta and strong utility lobby. Needs significant coalition-building before 2027 session.

Session Deadline

April 21, 2026

Legislative calendar cutoff

Expected Timeline

HF 2046 is dead for the 2026 session. Iowa's biennial legislature (91st General Assembly runs 2025–2026) means a new bill must be introduced in January 2027.

Iowa Solar Data

Avg. Electricity Rate12.4¢/kWh
TOU Peak Spread
4¢/kWh
Est. Annual Savings
~$135/yr
Last UpdatedApril 2026
Calculate IA Savings
Get Notified

Iowa Legislation Alert

Be the first to know when Iowa's plug-in solar bill advances, passes, or is signed into law.

No spam — only legislation updates for Iowa. Unsubscribe anytime.

Key Provisions

Would exempt certified plug-in solar devices from IUB interconnection requirements.

What This Means for You

What You Can Do

If passed: self-install without MidAmerican Energy or Alliant Energy approval.

Current Limitations

Law not yet enacted. Iowa utilities currently require interconnection agreements.

Official Bill Reference

Dead — Failed Funnel Deadline (February 2026)
View Full Bill Text — HF 2046 / SF 2056

Opens official state legislature website in a new tab.

Iowa State Overview

Key data on solar potential, demographics, utilities, and incentives.

Solar Resource
Peak Sun Hours4.72 hrs/day
Optimal Tilt20°
Best FacingDue South (180°)
Est. Annual Output (800W)1,097 kWh/yr
Best MonthsJune–July

The PVWatts energy estimate is based on an hourly performance simulation using a typical-year weather file that represents a multi-year historical period for Des Moines, IA for a Fixed (open rack) photovoltaic system.

Major Utilities
MidAmerican Energy
~838,000 electric customers (across IA, IL, SD)
Net metering
Alliant Energy (Interstate Power and Light)
~500,000 electric customers in Iowa
Net metering
Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives
~650,000 people
Net metering
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
~224,514 customers
Net metering

Population
3,207,004
Total Households
1,296,877
Owner-Occupied
916,707
Renter-Occupied
380,170
Single-Family Homes
880,766
Apartment Units (5+)
117,398
Median Income
$73,122
Median Home Value
$200,900

29% of Iowa households are renter-occupied — approximately 380,170 households that could benefit from plug-in solar without owning their home.

Iowa does not currently offer a state solar income tax credit for residential systems (the prior credit expired). Net metering available through MidAmerican Energy and Alliant Energy. The federal 30% ITC (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025.

News Coverage

Media coverage of plug-in solar developments in Iowa.

Balcony solar is taking state legislatures by storm

Canary MediaFebruary 2026