Last Updated on October 4, 2021 by Logansport Municipal Utilities
The integration of renewable energy into Logansport Municipal Utilities’ (LMU) power grid has launched and advanced the city to a new era – a community utilizing sustainable energy.
On September 29, 2021 LMU started receiving energy from the new 16-megawatt-AC solar array installation, located west of Holland Street, between Market Street and Water Street, across from Cole Hardwood. It was constructed by South Bend-based Inovateus Solar and financed by Alchemy Renewable Energy with a power purchase agreement (PPA.) This allows LMU to purchase the clean, solar generation at a fixed kilowatt-hour rate without upfront capital costs.
LMU Superintendent Greg Toth states, “this innovative, green initiative is not only an important step in providing renewable energy for our customers, but an attractive economic development tool for the city of Logansport, enticing new industries to the area.”
A 45-foot vegetation buffer surrounds the solar array. The buffer will feature native Northern Indiana trees, plants, and tulip trees. A pollinator seed mix will be planted under and around the solar panels instead of traditional ground cover. The pollinator mix will cultivate honeybees and butterflies that local farmers rely on for pollinating their crops. The pollination field will be monitored by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s InSPIRE study for five years. The group is researching pollinator-friendly and low-impact solar development to quantify the ecosystem and agricultural benefits. The trees and pollinator seed planting is scheduled to take place mid to late October. Inovateus will be responsible for the maintenance and operations of the solar field.
SOURCE: News release from Logansport Municipal Utilities
About Logansport Municipal Utilities: LMU is a municipal owned, board-operated electric and water utility serving the city of Logansport and surrounding county areas in northern Indiana. Started in 1894, the utility offers carbon free electricity and clean water to over 20,000 residents and businesses. LMU continues to serve and drive redevelopment in the region. For more information about LMU: logansportutilities.comhttp://www.logansportutilities.com