Pella Cooperative Electric

What Pella Cooperative Electric does

Pella Cooperative Electric Association (PCEA) is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative headquartered at 2615 Washington St., Pella, Iowa, organized on October 19, 1936 under Iowa state law with an initial $70,000 Rural Electrification Administration loan. The cooperative purchases wholesale power from Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO) and distributes electricity across approximately 650 miles of line to over 3,200 homes and businesses (roughly 2,600 members) in Jasper, Mahaska, Marion, Poweshiek, and Warren counties. As of 2024, PCEA sold a record 61.6 million kilowatt-hours, achieved a 99.986% reliability factor with only 0.39 hours of average outage per member, generated $1,046,777 in net margins, and added 42 new accounts. Customer segments include residential/farm, small commercial, agricultural commercial (grain handling & storage), and irrigation pump service, each served under distinct rate classes.

PCEA's product surface centers on regulated electrical distribution, supplemented by the SmartHub mobile and web application for member self-service (bill payment, energy-use viewing, outage reporting, auto-pay), a 1.175 MW DC / 0.928 MW AC Zon Veld Solar Farm built jointly with CIPCO, a free public Level II EV charger at the office, and the Green Power Program. Add-on offerings include energy-efficiency rebates (geothermal and air-source heat pumps, water heaters, commercial lighting, EV chargers), distributed-generation interconnection support, member products (Ruud water heaters, LED outdoor lighting), capital-credit retirements, the Co-op Connections discount network, RECare bill-payment assistance, and a Revolving Loan Fund for community economic development administered with the Iowa Area Development Group and USDA Rural Development. Governance is exercised through an elected Board of Directors with annual member meetings, supported by youth programs including Washington D.C. Youth Tour, Iowa Youth Leadership Academy, and scholarships across 11 school districts.

Revenue is generated through monthly subscription-style electricity distribution tariffs set by the Board based on cost-of-service studies, with example average monthly bills of $167–$180 for single-phase residential, $99–$104 for heat rate, $569–$612 for small commercial, and $76–$206 for pump service. An approximately 7% rate increase took effect May 1, 2026 alongside a new Ag Commercial rate class. As a cooperative, margins are returned to members via capital credits; $171,092.60 was retired in November 2024 and $230,986.77 in November 2025. The Iowa service-territory law (SF 1256, 1976) provides an exclusive, statutorily protected franchise, and CIPCO's wholesale partnership (which returned $210,225 in patronage to PCEA in 2025) anchors the upstream generation supply.

Name

Pella Cooperative Electric

Legal name

Pella Cooperative Electric Association

Website

https://pella-cea.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pella Cooperative Electric Association is a not-for-profit, member-owned rural electric distribution cooperative serving over 3,200 homes and businesses across five Iowa counties via 650 miles of line, purchasing wholesale power from CIPCO and offering the SmartHub app, Zon Veld Solar Farm, EV charging, and energy-efficiency programs to its members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Electric Distribution

NAICS

Electric Power Distribution (221122), Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112)

SIC

Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities) (EUADABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distributed Generation (DG) Solar & Small Wind (EUAMAJAD), Community Microgrids & Shared Distributed Generation (EUACALAC)

Keywords

• Rural electric distribution
• Electric cooperative services
• Member-owned utility
• Power line service
• Renewable energy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Pella

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Electric Distribution Services: PCEA is a not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative. Revenue is generated through electricity distribution to over 3,200 homes and businesses across five Iowa counties. Rates are set by the Board of Directors based on cost-of-service studies to recover costs of power, system operation, and maintenance. Margins (profits) are allocated back to members as capital credits.
2. Capital Credits Retirements: As a not-for-profit cooperative, margins remaining after expenses are allocated to members based on electricity consumption. These capital credits are periodically retired and paid out to members. Recent retirements include $230,986.77 (November 2025) and $171,092.60 (November 2024).
3. Green Power Program: Members can purchase Green Power bundles (100 kWh for $2.00/month) or donate to the Green Power Fund ($2.50/month minimum) to support renewable energy development in Iowa.
4. Member Services and Products: Sale of energy-efficient products including water heaters, outdoor lighting, and EV chargers. Also offersrebates for energy efficiency upgrades (geothermal, heat pumps, air conditioners, EV chargers, commercial lighting) to encourage conservation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Pella Cooperative Electric is a member-owned not-for-profit rural electric distribution cooperative that purchases wholesale electricity from Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO) and distributes it to over 3,200 homes, farms, and businesses across five Iowa counties through 650 miles of owned distribution infrastructure. The cooperative also offers a Green Power renewable subscription program, rebates for energy-efficient equipment, and energy-related hardware products such as water heaters and outdoor lighting.

Product overview

Pella Cooperative Electric is a not-for-profit member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving over 3,200 accounts across five Iowa counties. The cooperative operates as a single integrated utility, purchasing wholesale electricity from Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO) and distributing it to members. The core product is electricity distribution, supplemented by the SmartHub mobile app for account management. The cooperative offers renewable energy options including the Zon Veld Solar Farm (a 1.175 MW shared solar facility) and the Green Power Program. Additional products include member benefits (Capital Credits, RECare), energy efficiency products and rebates (geothermal/air source heat pumps, water heaters, EV chargers, lighting), economic development programs (Revolving Loan Fund), youth programs (scholarships, Washington D.C. Youth Tour), and the Co-op Connections discount program. A free public Level II EV charger is also available at the office.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Electrical Distribution Service Electric distribution service to over 3,200 accounts across Jasper, Mahaska, Marion, Poweshiek, and Warren counties in central Iowa. PCEA purchases wholesale power from CIPCO and distributes it through 650 miles of owned infrastructure across rate classes including Single-Phase Residential/Farm, Heat, Small Commercial, Ag Commercial, and Single/Multi-Phase Pump.
• Green Power Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.986% reliability with only 76 minutes average outage time per member in 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Stanley Consultants, Inc.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 29 July 2025Engineering and consulting firm engaged for FEMA HMGP DR-4732 mitigation project. Stanley Consultants is administering pole procurement and material procurement contracts for infrastructure strengthening work. Contact: Ms. Mandy Hoag at Muscatine, Iowa office.
• Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIPCO is PCEA's wholesale power supplier and strategic partner. PCEA purchases all electricity from CIPCO, which provides a diverse energy portfolio including wind, hydro, solar, landfill gas, natural gas, coal, and oil. CIPCO Board of Directors includes PCEA's representative (Duane Ver Ploeg). The partnership includes joint development of the Zon Veld Solar Farm and collaborative generation projects including a 240 MW natural gas peaking facility and Coggon Solar project. CIPCO returned patronage totaling $210,225 to PCEA in 2025.
• Touchstone Energy CooperativescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational network of electric cooperatives across 46 states. Touchstone Energy provides branding, resources, and partnerships to help member cooperatives better engage and serve members. PCEA participates in statewide Touchstone initiatives including the Shine the Light contest ($3,000 charity donations for volunteer recognition). The Touchstone Energy logo signifies high standards of service, integrity, accountability, innovation, and commitment to community.
• Iowa Area Development Group (IADG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with IADG and USDA Rural Development to administer Revolving Loan Funds for community economic development. The RLF provides 0% to Prime Rate loans for land, buildings, equipment, and infrastructure to businesses, local governments, and non-profits. Minimum 20% equity required; maximum loan term 10 years; 1% annual administrative fee.
• Zon Veld Solar Farm PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZon Veld (Sun Field) Solar Farm built as a partnered effort between Pella Cooperative and Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO). The 3,672-panel facility represents a cooperative investment in bringing solar power to members. Utility-scale solar benefits all members in the system by providing clean energy across the service delivery area.
• Iowa Utilities BoardminorOthersRegulatory oversight body for Iowa's non-rate regulated utilities. PCEA is required to post notice of complaints procedures and members may contact the IUB at 350 Maple Street, Des Moines, IA 50319 if service complaints are not resolved by the cooperative.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO): Wholesale power supplier and generation cooperative for PCEA. CIPCO owns generation assets (including the Zon Veld Solar Farm with PCEA) and sells to multiple distribution co-ops across Iowa, making it the most directly comparable counterpart to PCEA in both cooperative structure and operational relationship.
• MidAmerican Energy Company: Investor-owned electric and gas utility serving most of Iowa including areas adjacent to PCEA's service territory. Comparable as an Iowa electric distribution peer but operates at much larger scale under a different regulatory framework (rate-regulated by IUB).
• Alliant Energy: Investor-owned utility serving Iowa and Wisconsin with electric distribution and generation. Relevant benchmark for Iowa electric distribution rates, reliability standards, and rural service operations adjacent to PCEA's territory.
• Basin Electric Power Cooperative: Large wholesale generation and transmission cooperative serving member distribution co-ops across the upper Midwest and West. Comparable cooperative structure and Touchstone Energy affiliation; represents the wholesale-supply model that mirrors PCEA's relationship with CIPCO.

Direct peers

• Consumers Energy Cooperative (Iowa): Iowa-based Touchstone Energy member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving residential, farm, and small commercial members. Directly comparable to PCEA in customer mix, cooperative governance, CIPCO/Heartland Power supply relationships, and rate class structure.
• Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative: Eastern Iowa Touchstone Energy distribution cooperative serving rural residential, agricultural, and small commercial members. Comparable in size (~3,000-5,000 meters), cooperative structure, service territory model, and reliance on wholesale generation supply.
• Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative: Northwest Iowa Touchstone Energy distribution cooperative. Comparable in cooperative governance model, rural/agricultural customer base, and member services such as capital credits, rebates, and youth programs.
• Heartland Power Cooperative: Iowa-based Touchstone Energy distribution cooperative. Comparable in member-owned structure, rural Iowa service territory, agricultural and residential member mix, and reliance on basin electric-style wholesale supply.

Regional players

• Seminole Electric Cooperative: Florida-based generation and transmission cooperative serving member distribution co-ops. Comparable in cooperative-to-cooperative wholesale structure and member-owned governance, though operating in a different regulatory geography.

Others

• Touchstone Energy Cooperatives: National network and brand for U.S. electric cooperatives including PCEA. Relevant as the marketing/branding alliance and shared services platform that PCEA uses for member engagement programs like the Shine the Light contest.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pellacoop
• Facebookfacebook.com/pellacooperativeelectric
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pella-cooperative-electric

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pella Cooperative Electric