Solar Farm Being Planned for Vigo County

(photo courtesy of NiSource Inc.)

A new solar farm is in the works for Vigo County. Our partners at WTHI-TV report Duke Energy is leading the Hoosier Jack Solar project, which is being planned for a 900-acre site.

“It’s a 175-megawatt solar farm that provides enough power to supply about 35,000 homes,” said Tyler Coon, business development manager for Duke Energy Renewables. “Wind has been here for a time and got a head start on solar in this region but now solar is catching up,” said Coon.

Duke Energy Renewables presented its plan to the Vigo County council earlier this week. The company says the farm could bring benefits such as a long-term boost in revenue from property taxes, hundreds of construction jobs, as well as providing the community with a renewable resource.

“When we come into a community we want to be a good neighbor to that community. Participate with the schools, educational opportunities, field trips things like that and we want to be a good neighbor to a project when we come in,” he said.

If approved, the station reports construction would not start until 2023, and operation wouldn’t begin until 2024.