Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) plans to build what would be its largest solar generation facility yet.
The proposed project would be located in St. Joseph County and have a capacity of 20 megawatts, which is enough energy to power 2,700 homes annually.
It is subject to the approval of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and is expected to be in operation by late 2020.
“This large-scale solar project aligns with I&M’s push to diversify our generation fleet and to ensure a bright future for our customers and the communities we serve,” said Toby Thomas, I&M president and COO. “The South Bend Solar Project would help local economic development and would give our customers an opportunity to take advantage of locally provided renewable resources.”
I&M is proposing to partner on the solar facility with the University of Notre Dame as both organizations commit to a sustainable future.
The University of Notre Dame and I&M would work together to ensure educational opportunities and research benefits of the project are realized. Notre Dame will further its sustainability goals by supporting renewable energy based on 40 percent of the output of the solar facility.
“Notre Dame is pleased to be partnering with our local energy partner Indiana Michigan Power on this significant solar energy project,” said Paul Kempf, senior director of utilities and maintenance for Notre Dame. “The University looks forward to expanding its portfolio of renewable and recoverable energy sources and achieving the positive environmental benefits this project would provide. It is important to us to work within our own community to create such projects that have a local impact on our environment and economy.”
The South Bend Solar Project would be located near the Indiana Toll Road and about 10 miles northeast of the University of Notre Dame.
I&M currently operates four emission-free solar generation facilities. Three are in Indiana — Marion, Mishawaka and New Carlisle — and one in Watervliet, Michigan.
The solar facilities generate nearly 15 megawatts of electricity, with enough energy to power 2,000 homes annually.
