Solar Project Planned for New Carlisle
(photo courtesy of Solar United Neighbors)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA major solar project is being proposed for the Indiana Enterprise Center near New Carlisle. The South Bend Tribune reports renewable energy company RES plans to build the $164 million solar farm, nicknamed “Project Honeysuckle” on a 1,900-acre plot of farmland near U.S. 20.
The project would include 365,000 solar panels that could generate 150 megawatts per year, or enough power for more than 25,000 homes. Anne-Marie Griger, project developer for RES, tells the publication the company has already leased the property, but the solar farm would likely end up covering less than 1,000 acres.
“Once it would be constructed, it would be, from what I’ve seen publicly available online, the biggest solar farm in the state,” Griger told the Tribune. “We feel like it’s a really positive addition to the diversity of things you guys have going on there.”
The project would create up to 200 construction jobs, plus three permanent, full-time jobs.
Griger says the company aims to begin construction next year with the goal of completion by 2023. However, she says the company will need to find a buyer and sign a purchase agreement for the electricity before the project can begin.
Griger says St. Joseph County officials approached the company about creating a new tax-increment financing district for the project instead of a traditional tax abatement, according to the publication. You can read the full story from the South Bend Tribune by clicking here.
The Indiana Enterprise Center is an industrial zone that is being primed for future development. In January, St. Joseph County Economic Development Director Bill Schalliol said at least one project could break ground at the 114-acre site this year.