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Bainbridge solar park near completion
BAINBRIDGE -- The solar park in the Bainbridge is expected to be functional by the end of August.
The Town of Bainbridge purchased a piece of land just west of Bainbridge Elementary and signed a purchase agreement with the Indiana Municipal Power Agency (IMPA) to buy the 3-acre plot for construction of the park. The piece of land was sold for $39,765, the same amount the town paid for it.
Bainbridge clerk-treasurer Jason Hartman said this process means the implementation of a solar park is at no additional cost to tax payers and will not have to spend money on labor for the project.
"This is a $700,000 investment ... That is a pretty big investment for a town this size. It is entirely within the town limits," Hartman said, noting the project will help boost the tax base.
Hartman said construction on the piece of land started this week, with the work expected to be completed in two weeks. He added IMPA officials said the plan is to have the solar park online at the end of August.
Hartman explained the Town of Bainbridge purchases energy from IMPA and is then able to sell the energy to the utility customers. Once the solar park is online, the process will still be the same but in a more energy efficient manner.
"About a year ago when IMPA decided to do this project we threw our hat in the ring at that point. They finally selected us because we had available land. We went out and purchased land specifically for this project and sold it back to them at the same price," Hartman explained.
The town closed on the piece of property in June of 2014 and the purchase agreement with IMPA was signed in March, making the commitment official.
Hartman said Bainbridge joins several communities throughout the state to implement the solar farm's cost efficient renewable energy project.
"We have a responsibility to help IMPA become compliant. Also, it's the right thing to do. It doesn't make sense (to continue with current energy usage), when there is renewable energy out there," Hartman stressed.
"This will generate enough electricity for the entire town when there is sun."
He added on overcast days and at night, the town will run on electric power. The town would see no break in services.
The town has been considering renewable energy for quite a while, Hartman said. About eight years ago, the council investigated implementing a wind turbine but the project would not have been cost efficient to the town. He explained when the town learned this project would essentially be of no cost to it, they believed it was the best time to move forward on the energy efficient project.
Hartman said Bainbridge will be the first community in Putnam County to use the renewable energy for power. Other area communities also taking part include Coatesville, Ladoga, Crawfordsville and Rockville, just to name a few.