The Bluegrass Creek Solar Project
Solar energy has been a reliable, safe, environmentally-friendly, and economical source of power for many decades. Across the United States millions of homes, businesses, schools, churches and farms have embraced solar energy to meet their energy needs. With our Bluegrass Creek Solar Project, Orion Renewable Energy Group aims to work closely with the local community to build a long-term relationship that benefits the whole community and region while helping to meet the growing energy needs of Evansville and the surrounding region.
Bluegrass Creek Solar Farm At a Glance
The Bluegrass Creek Solar Project is a solar development spanning approximately 600 fenced acres near the intersection of Interstate 69 and Indiana State Route 57, just north of the Vanderburgh County Industrial Park in Scott Township, Indiana. The project represents approximately $200 million of new investment into the Vanderburgh County tax base, providing support for schools, emergency services, roads, libraries, parks and other county services. The project will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of thousands of southern Indiana homes. Orion is putting its 20+ years of experience working with Indiana communities into creating a project that will generate local jobs, support domestic manufacturing and strengthen community resilience through economic growth and diversification.
The Bluegrass Creek Solar Project is designed with environmental stewardship in mind. Areas within the project fence will feature native grasses and pollinator-friendly ground cover to support biodiversity and wildlife habitat, prevent erosion and enhance water retention, all helping to ensure a positive impact on the local ecosystem.
To harmonize the project with the surrounding area, the Bluegrass Creek Solar Project will incorporate vegetative buffers comprised primarily of evergreen trees that are designed to screen the view of the project from nearby residences and roadways. Additional buffers outside of the project fences and vegetative screening areas have been designed to allow for continued farming outside of some panel areas.
At the end of the project’s life, equipment will be removed in accordance with Vanderburgh County’s ordinance. Financial security will be posted at the start of construction, ensuring that funds for decommissioning are in place for the life of the project. When decommissioning is complete, the land, enriched by decades of conservation practices, will be returned to agricultural use for future generations of farmers.
Orion’s Solar Neighbor Program
Orion believes that the benefits of a solar energy project should extend to the community surrounding the project, and not just to those directly involved. That’s why, in addition to compensating property owners leasing land for the solar project, we’re proud to provide annual payments to residents living nearby through our Orion Solar Neighbor Program. We want those living in close proximity to project facilities to share directly in the benefits from the project. Interested in learning more and finding out if you qualify? Reach out to our Development Manager to hear more about the benefits this project brings to nearby residents.
Orion Renewable Energy Group is a Community Partner
The founders of Orion Renewable Energy Group have developed renewable energy projects since 1998. Orion projects generate enough electricity to power more than 2,500,000 homes across the United States. Currently operating Orion projects will pay more than $1 billion to landowners and more than $1 billion in property taxes over their operational lives. Furthermore, Orion believes in being a trusted partner in the community. We work with counties, school districts, local nonprofits, charitable organizations and other local organizations to identify and provide long term support for community needs.
A Few Good Reasons to Support Solar Energy in Bluegrass Creek
Many farmers and landowners lease land to solar projects because the additional income they earn can be reinvested in their agricultural operations. The annual income that a solar lease provides to farmers is independent of year-to-year agricultural market fluctuations and can help to strengthen the finances of the family farm for future generations.
The solar industry creates thousands of high-paying Indiana jobs in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance. This project will support local Vanderburgh County businesses throughout construction and operations by spending and hiring locally. It also aligns with the goals of the region’s utilities to add solar to their electricity generation portfolios to ensure an economical long-term energy supply.
Support for solar energy isn’t at the expense of support for other energy resources such as coal, natural gas, or nuclear—it is an integral part of an all-of-the-above energy strategy that strengthens America’s position as a global energy leader and ensures that our country is well-positioned to meet the increased electricity demands and security needs of the future economy.
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Economic & Community Benefits
The project will drive sustainable energy production and economic growth in the region.
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New Source of Electricity
The Bluegrass Creek Solar Project will generate enough electricity to power thousands of households.
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Environmentally Beneficial
The Blue Grass Creek Solar Project incorporates pollinator-friendly ground cover (the project will participate in Purdue’s pollinator scorecard program), landscaped buffers and will promote wildlife habitat.
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Agricultural Land Preservation
Having a solar farm on the land will allow the land to be preserved and enhanced for future agricultural use.
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Decommissioning
At the end of the life of the solar farm (typically 35 years), solar facilities will be removed and the land, enriched by years of conservation practices, will be restored to the condition it was in prior to the start of construction of the project. Bluegrass Creek Solar Project will provide and maintain decommissioning security throughout the term of the project so that the money for decommissioning and restoration is there when needed.
