Kalona will be receiving three solar-powered emergency response trailers following the City Council’s approval for the receipt of Iowa Economic Development Authority grant funding.

The trailers, which are effectively mobile solar-powered generators,can store enough power to be a simple power hub for charging phones and running internet for over 700 hours, run a light tower for 38 hours, or construction equipment for 8.5 hours, according to Kalona City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh. 

The trailers will assist in the city’s emergency response when they need to stage operations in an unlit area or provide power to an area that has lost it. Schlabaugh noted that the trailers will be especially useful in areas like parks or just outside of the city limits that are normally unlit regardless of power outages.

Kalona Mayor Mark Robe was excited for the trailers, saying he could already envision the uses, including responding to water main breaks and fires.

The City of Kalona received full funding through the grant. 

Schlabaugh says he expects turnaround on the trailers to be quick, with the delivery date being as soon as June.