Duff Solar Park project information
Here is some more information on the Duff Solar Park as provided by Sarah Greenberg, Development Project Manager – Eastern Region for EDP Renewables North America.
First, EDP Renewables is a subsidiary of EDP (Energias de Portugal) Renewables, which is based in Portugal. According to the attached Reuters article, EDP Renewables purchased Houston-based Horizon Horizon Energy for $2.2 billion in 2007. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-edp-horizon-idUSL2715639720070327 It renamed the subsidiary EDP Renewables North America soon after the acquisition.
In regards to some of the comments about land usage for solar power in the United States, Greenberg stated, “To be able to power the USA with solar energy, the industry would need 0.6% of land in the country for solar panels. Other estimates say we would need an amount of land that is about the size of Lake Michigan.” She shared these articles supporting her statement (Article 1 and Article 2).
The Duff Solar Project will be located on land adjacent to the Duff Vectren Substation located on County Road South 650 West. To accommodate the park, EDP already has about 1,500 acres signed up to participate. However, the solar panels will only take up about 600 to 900 of those acres.
“Part of the reason we signed up so much extra land is because we incorporate setbacks from roads, homes, forest, wetlands, community buildings, railroads, and more into our project design,” Greenberg explained “The landowners will continue to be paid for the land not used for solar infrastructure, and they will be able to continue farming, grazing, or otherwise using that land in any way they want.”
According to Greenberg, the company has already signed the majority of options needed to build the project. “We are also actively discussing Good Neighbor Agreements, which are contracts that provide annual payments to people who live near the project site and may see panels regularly,” she added.
EDP Renewables has a large share of its projects in Indiana — mainly northern Indiana. The company was attracted to Dubois County for several reasons. Greenberg pointed out that the existing capacity on the local transmission lines will be adequate to carry the new electricity the park will produce. She also explained that the area’s economic strength and the number of landowners willing to participate also played a role in moving forward with the project.
Community buildings? Like Duff’s historic Conservation Club? Are they tearing that down? What about the cemetery that sits diagonally from the Conservation Club? Will it be exhumed? Hopefully this project stays away from that area, the site of the original Dufftown. I realize a company based in Portugal and operating through a subsidiary in Texas could care less about the rich history right next to it’s next tax subsidy, but many people in this area do. Plus the farms. Not to mention the beautiful wildlife that calls this rural area home. There is truly nothing as humbling as being exploited by a multi-million dollar corporation. Anyone against the midstates corridor for ANY reason should oppose this for all of the exact same reasons. Bring on the yard signs!
This is not a land grab It is a voluntary lease by the landowner but you have to have so many acres to be able to do it.
As for “caring less about the rich history right next to it’s (its) next tax subsidy, but many people in this area do”…maybe less people care than you think, since “EDP already has about 1,500 acres signed up to participate.” Plus, in stating that “Part of the reason we (the company) signed up so much extra land is because we incorporate setbacks from roads, homes, forest, wetlands, community buildings, railroads, and more into our project design”…they aren’t exactly ignoring your concerns, plus there may still be room to negotiate to make it more acceptable and less intrusive, such with landscaped barriers or other, more setback, etc. And also that “The landowners will continue to be paid for the land not used for solar infrastructure, and they will be able to continue farming, grazing, or otherwise using that land in any way they want.” If it was their land and they voluntarily signed it over for a price…well, maybe your focus ought to be directed at those landowners. My concern is still more to the economics of the electricity…how are the current power providers impacted by this new source…how is it shared between them, etc…and how does that translate and factored for their respective consumer-customers down the lines…?
100 % Tax abatement for 10 years to employ 2 full time. While they make a lot of money.
Corporate Welfare.
They came all the way from Texas and could not find an appropriate place to build a solar panel farm until they got to the hills and valleys of Southern Indiana? Something does not seem right with this…….
They actually have several wind farms and solar projects in Indiana.
Like many things in the modern era, not wanted or needed.
Figure out a way to Plant more food instead.