Indiana brought a 150 MW solar farm online, and it’s just the beginning

EDP Renewables’ new 150-megawatt solar project is now feeding power into Indiana’s grid, as utilities look for more reliable, in-state generation.

The company says Riverstart Solar IV is now in commercial operation in Randolph County, generating enough electricity each year to power the equivalent of more than 28,800 Indiana homes and businesses. It’s part of a broader push to add more in-state generation as utilities and grid operators look for reliable, homegrown power.

Riverstart Solar IV is the latest addition to EDP Renewables’ growing footprint in Indiana, where the company is already the largest owner and operator of wind and solar projects. With this project online, EDP Renewables now operates about 2 gigawatts of generation capacity in the state, enough to power the equivalent of more than 527,000 homes and businesses.

Beyond clean energy, the project also has a sizable local economic footprint. EDP Renewables estimates Riverstart Solar IV will generate more than $88.6 million in local and regional economic impact over time. That includes about $51.4 million in revenue for local public services such as schools, roads, emergency services, equipment, and parks, along with roughly $35 million in payments to local landowners hosting the project. The company also estimates around $2.2 million in regional spending and about 625 jobs supported during construction.

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Looking longer term, EDP Renewables says its projects are on track to contribute about $65 million to Randolph County by 2038 through economic development agreements and permitting fees.

The company has also invested directly in the community, donating more than $565,000 to local organizations. Those funds have gone toward workforce development, education programs, youth sports, and disaster relief.

Indiana state officials say projects like Riverstart Solar IV fit with the state’s push for affordable and reliable power, while local county leaders point to new revenue streams that can help pay for infrastructure upgrades and public services.

Electrek’s Take

A 150 MW solar farm isn’t going to be the be-all and end-all for Indiana’s long-term power needs, but projects like Riverstart Solar IV show how utility-scale solar is quietly becoming part of the state’s reliability picture. The SEIA expects Indiana, currently ranked 12th among states for solar capacity, to add 17,230 MW over the next five years, and that will move it into third place.

As load grows from manufacturing and data centers, Indiana is increasingly relying on locally produced generation that can be built quickly and at predictable costs. The real test will be how fast projects like this can scale, and whether grid upgrades keep pace. And it’s got a long way to go when it comes to renewables: nearly 60% of the state’s power sector is still powered by coal, followed by fossil gas (35%).

Read more: This vast 1.3 GW Indiana solar farm will power 200,000 homes

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