9/21/17
https://www.perrycountynews.com/content ... ar-project
On September 19, 2017, Justin Wolf, a project developer for Orion Renewables, met with the Spencer County Council to outline a proposed solar project, which would lie between the community of Troy and New Boston, east along Indiana 545.
The area originally contained around 800 acres, but has since expanded to over 1,000 acres.
According to Wolf’s statement, “Most of the proposed worksite lies on non-prime farmland.” which would be returned to agricultural use once the 30-year lease runs its course, allowing the soil to remain fallow and regain nutrients in the meantime.
With the above statement in mind, I would encourage our readers to view the images of this solar farm under construction on “non-prime” farmland that will allow the solar to regain nutrients.
During the initial meeting, Wolf claimed the construction would be divided into two phases. The first phase would begin some time in 2019 with a target operational date in 2020. The second phase of the project is expected to come online by the end of 2023.
In fact, the construction did not start until the summer of 2020, because Orion SOLD the project to someone else.
Wolf also stated, phase one would generate somewhere between 40 and 50 megawatts, with the second phase possibly bringing that to a maximum of 70 megawatts. For the sake of comparison, the Hoosier Energy solar farm north of Dale covers 14 acres of farmland generating one megawatt per hour during peak periods.
All told, the first phase alone would represent somewhere in the neighborhood of $40 to $70 million, with the second phase increasing that a further $17 to $45 million.
Utter noted that while the project would yield no major job opportunities, that may also be a blessing. He noted that given the labor shortage in the area, it could be beneficial to have economic development that wouldn’t directly compete with more labor-intensive projects.
Wolf added that Spencer County is a particularly attractive option for this project, as Orion Renewables already has several projects in the wider area, and thus has an existing relationship with local utilities. In fact, the company oversaw the construction of the first wind farm in Indiana, located in Benton and Newton counties.
Tom Utter of Lincolnland Economic Development Corp. was present at the meeting and offered his support for the project as well.
Utter pointed out the project would increase assessed valuation and provide income to property owners as well.
All told, the first phase alone would represent somewhere in the neighborhood of $40 to $70 million, with the second phase increasing that a further $17 to $45 million. (thought from FTW, what is this money? Is it cost of construction, return to county, paid to residents, etc. It needs some research.
Utter also informed the council that major projects involving emerging technologies can boost an area’s profile, attracting other development and residents. (from FTW, grandview is loosing residents, not gaining more.)
Wolf did bring to the council one request for action Tuesday evening, namely, for the board to declare the proposed site an economic-revitalization area. This would be followed next month with requests for abatements to help offset development costs for the two phases, which would begin upon each phase going online.
The Spencer County Council was quite supportive of the proposal and unanimously voted to designate the 800 acres in question an economic-revitalization area. A public hearing will be held at the Oct. 17 meeting of the board to discuss the structure of any tax abatements approved for the proposed solar project.
Council member Aaron Benton offered his support for the project, emphasizing that the county faced little risk given the circumstances.
Fellow council member Jack Kroeger concurred, saying, “I think it’s a great project for the county.”