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Thursday, September 24 2015
“Flip the switch” on solar array near I-70 in New Castle New Castle, IN -- Officials from three electric cooperatives and Henry County dedicated a new solar farm, tapping into the power of the sun to light up homes and businesses throughout east central Indiana. The 1-megawatt array south of New Castle covers about 11 acres and is located just south of County Road 500 South, east of Indiana 3 and north of Interstate 70. Henry County REMC, RushShelby Energy and Whitewater Valley REMC worked alongside Hoosier Energy, their power supplier, to identify a prime location where the three cooperatives could show their support for renewable energy and learn more about how solar power works. “Interstate 70 brings about 40,000 vehicles through Henry County every day, traveling past the new solar farm. The high visibility of the farm highlights Henry County's and Hoosier Energy's commitment to progress,” said Ed Yanos, President of the Henry County Board of Commissioners. “Such an opportunity puts us in a better position to give advice to our member consumers on the operational issues, costs and benefits of solar as a renewable energy resource,” added Terry Jobe, Chief Executive Officer for RushShelby Energy. The solar farm is the first of 10 that Hoosier Energy plans to build to benefit its 18 members in southern and central Indiana and southeastern Illinois as part of the electric cooperative power supplier’s “all-of-the-above” energy portfolio. Commitment to community is a co-op principle of special importance to the three distribution cooperatives. “We are used to bringing power to our members through transmission and distribution lines. Bringing this solar generation directly into the communities we serve is a bit different for us. This project will benefit the members of the REMCs and the communities of east central Indiana,” said Shannon Thom, Chief Executive Officer of Henry County REMC. “Where electricity comes from is as important as how it gets to homes and businesses. The more we learn, the better we can take advantage of this important resource,” added Mary Jo Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of Whitewater Valley REMC. About Henry County REMC About Rush Shelby Energy About Whitewater Valley REMC About Hoosier Energy Media Contacts: |