By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — Northeastern REMC in Whitley County is in the midst of constructing a solar farm to help offset costs to local customers.
The utility is using about 30 acres in an industrial park east of Columbia City where the solar project will include nearly 12,000 solar panels while also will providing grazing opportunities for sheep.
Chief executive officer Eric Jung said the project avoids using prime farm ground and has been arranged in a way to appease opponents.
“This is an effort to respond to all of the comments that we have heard from the folks who are opposed to seeing this kind of technology installed,” Jung said.
Approval was obtained through a utility regulatory process, he said. Panels are expected to be installed in a few months.
Public opposition to the idea of solar energy, though, remains.
NREMC is hosting an informational meeting on Dec. 19, at 5:30 p.m. at the NREMC headquarters, located at 4901 E. Park 30 Drive, Columbia City.
This session will provide insights into the Quarry Solar Project, including its benefits for members, local farmers, and the Whitley County community.
Jung said there’s a lot of disinformation in the public that makes it difficult to discern the truth and that he doesn’t blame folks who are confused about the issues.
Some of the rumors pertain to the potential for chemical runoff, he said.
“There’s no chemicals — there’s no liquid inside of these panels so there is no concern about runoff,” Jung said.
The property is at CR 100S South and US 30, and the project is expected to generate over 6,500 kilowatts of DC power, according to a news release from NREMC.
Power generated on the solar farm will directly supply the grid in Whitley County, reducing reliance on external power markets, and diversifying NREMC’s power supply portfolio.
The Quarry Solar Project is named in recognition of its unique location—a former rock quarry—reflecting its thoughtful reuse of industrial land for energy production.
This is the second solar farm project for Northeastern REMC. The other is in Allen County, he said.
A spokesperson for Kosciusko County REMC said they have no plans to expand into solar.
