PERU – The Indiana Municipal Power Agency said Monday it will construct a new $2.1-million solar park just outside Peru next year.
The 1-megawatt solar park will consist of 3,888 solar panels and be built on 8 acres of land owned by Peru Utilities on East Wabash Road, just outside the city limits.
The IMPA is a wholesale electric power provider serving 59 cities and towns in Indiana, including Peru. The company already has built or plans to build similar solar parks in Richmond, Frankton and Rensselaer.
A spokesperson for the association said the solar farms will enhance and provide a more stable source of electric energy for the IMPA and its member owners around the state.
The Miami County Council Tuesday approved a 10-year tax abatement on the project, which is estimated to generate over $250,000 in tax revenue over the next decade.
“IMPA hopes this solar park site becomes a showcase for Miami County as well as Peru,” the company said in its application for the tax abatement. “The solar park will show that IMPA, Miami County and Peru are continuing their forward-thinking approach toward energy.”
Once the project is complete, the company said the facility will be open for tours to local schools and other groups to provide education on renewable energy.
The solar park is expected to be up and running by June.