Interview with Tim Dwight Owner of iPower

        

        After spending 10 years playing the NFL Tim Dwight was up for both a new challenge and a new career. Tim Dwight explains this challenge with, “The energy industry has provided me that opportunity, especially with now what I know and with how important solar energy is to the world. Solar energy is real, and happening due to the global market is booming. The solar market has grown at the extraordinary rate of 69 percent per year even during the recession.” Tim Dwight is the owner of the Integrated Power Corporation better known as iPower, a solar energy company based out of California. He specializes in commercial, industrial and utility solar power integration.

       Dwight is a native Iowan that has paved his way into being an influential local solar industry leader. He is the president of the Iowa Solar Energy Trade Association and gives back community in inspiring ways.

He also has met with a number of law makers stressing the point that renewable energy is

  "the biggest opportunity in the history of mankind."

 Recently I had a chance to ask Dwight a few questions about his endeavors in the solar industry, along with professional insight.

     Mandy Vrieze: How does the marketing of renewable energy differ in Iowa vs California? Along with that question is there a difference in markets and/or marketing plans of renewable energy ?

    Tim Dwight: At this point in time it is more education based in Iowa. California is farther ahead in terms of integrating solar energy into their daily lives. It’s everywhere on the west coast. Many Iowans are apprehensive to the idea of solar and just need to be educated on solar powers benefits.

      MV: The recent solar panel oversupply has caused decline in prices for solar panels.  Has the declining price in solar systems help your business making it more affordable for your customers?

     TD: Yes, in the solar industry there is a trend of oversupply but in the end only the strong will survive.

    MV: What’s iPower’s biggest target market?

    TD: We focus more on commercial because people want to see it as an asset.

    MV: In the past you have helped influence law makers on the pros of solar energy  in Iowa. Have you by chance made any sort of progression in the last year?

    TD:  In late May, Governor Terry Branstad passed the state tax credit law giving residential and/or commercial customer’s tax credits up to $15,000 for commercial and up to $3,000 for residential. They granted  $1.5 million dollars for this 5 year program and  within 6 months have exceeded a total $600,000 of the $1.5 million. This year alone I think we should total a million dollars.

    MV: What have you learned the most from being in the industry?

   TD: Once I got into solar I looked at things a little differently because I to realized the value of what we've got available to us. People are going to start looking at it more and more due to we are starting to see the effects of global warming. When it does happen it’s really going to scare people.

      MV: While I was in Germany I often saw fields and fields of solar panels… why isn’t Iowa like this?

     TD: That’s what Iowa is going to become someday. My goal with Iowa is to have every farmer carve out 3 to 6 acres that they will be able to have a nice solar array by not only powering their town but powering their way of life. The reality is we are going to see here in the near future. Solar energy is comparable to a cell phone. It’s transformation from liquid transmitters, to switchboard, cable operators, and then there to a cell phone. Big things are going to happen just from one single solar cell.

A few days after my interview with Tim Dwight, I happen to come across an article from the Des Moines Register stating the following,

“Iowa has received $1.03 million in federal funding to promote solar energy and make it easier for homeowners and businesses to adopt rooftop solar systems.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority and U.S. Department of Energy announced the 36-month grant Wednesday. The state agency is partnering with the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities and the Iowa Environmental Council to launch the Iowa Statewide Readiness Initiative to promote solar deployment across the state.

Iowa is one of eight teams across the country sharing about $12 million to cut the “soft” costs associated with solar. These soft costs include permit, zoning and connection fees, which can account for as much as 60 percent of one rooftop solar installation, according to the Department of Energy.

“As a leader in wind energy and renewable fuels, Iowa should be at the front of the pack in implementing programs that encourage the use of solar energy as well,” said Gov. Terry Branstad in a statement.”

Click here to watch a short clip with more information Iowa Get $1 Mil Grant for Solar Power - KGAN-TV CBS 2 Iowa - Top Stories

            Its looks like there is a bright future ahead for Iowa solar leaders such as Tim Dwight, with the 1.3 million dollar grant they will be able to continue educating and increase awareness on installation of solar power systems.