Construction begins on 20 MW I&M solar farm

Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) began work this week on a 20 MW solar farm in Indiana’s St. Joseph County, making it the largest solar generating facility soon to join the company’s fleet.

Using approximately 57,000 solar panels, the facility will have the capacity to power 2,700 homes annually in the Michigan-Indiana area. The University of Notre Dame will join I&M on the project to guarantee educational and research opportunities.

“The St. Joseph Solar Farm will provide I&M customers with local green resources, to be used by local homes and businesses in addition to helping to attract businesses looking for renewable energy options,” I&M President and COO Toby Thomas said. “I&M is dedicated to transforming our generation fleet for our customers and the communities we serve. This facility will provide boundless clean energy options for the area and educational opportunities for future generations.”

The construction provides a further boost to emission reduction efforts at the company. I&M states that more than two-thirds of its generation fleet is now emission free. The solar farm is expected to begin operations sometime before spring next year. When complete, it will join four other solar generation facilities currently operated by I&M, which generate nearly 15 MW in the region.