Copyright, 2024, The Republic, Columbus
COLUMBUS, Ind. — An Arizona- and New York-based company is seeking to build a commercial solar energy system on nearly 1,200 acres of farmland in Bartholomew County leased from local landowners that is projected to generate enough energy to power more than 30,000 homes.
Swallowtail Solar LLC and its parent company Arevon Energy Inc. said they have filed an application with county planning officials that would start the process of securing permits to build a 200-megawatt commercial solar energy system across 21 privately owned properties in Clay and Flat Rock townships.
The company, which has described the project as a “large infrastructure investment of approximately $272 million,” also includes the creation of a pollinator-friendly habitat on the participating properties. Besides solar panels, the project would include, among other things, electrical cabling and conduits, perimeter fencing and a project substation that connects the renewable energy system to the grid.
The solar energy system would cover a stretch of privately owned properties largely bound by North County Road 500E to the west, East County Road 275N to the south, North County Road 650E to the east and parts of East County Road 400N to the north, according to a preliminary site plan. However, some of the participating properties are located outside of that general area.
For the complete story and more photos, see Wednesday’s print edition of The Republic.
