Today the Michiana area is greener. That’s because the St. Joseph Solar Farm, developed by Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), a subsidiary of American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) , in partnership with the University of Notre Dame, is now generating emission-free renewable energy. 

The Unveiling

During an unveiling ceremony this morning, Lisa Barton, AEP executive vice president and COO; Toby Thomas, I&M president and COO; Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., President of the University of Notre Dame; along with Indiana Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch and Louie the Lightning Bug, I&M’s mascot, symbolically “flipped the switch” on the new 20-megawatt solar farm, I&M’s fifth and largest solar farm yet. 

The University of Notre Dame Partnership

The facility is located along the Indiana Toll Road, east of South Bend, Ind., 8 miles from the University of Notre Dame’s campus.

Notre Dame will promote its sustainability goals by committing to support 40% of the renewable energy certificates (RECs), which represent the clean energy generated by the solar farm.

“This valuable partnership with Notre Dame is another positive step on our journey to creating a cleaner, brighter energy future with our communities,” said Lisa Barton, executive vice president and chief operating officer, AEP. “AEP recently announced our commitment to reach net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. Projects like the St. Joseph Solar Farm help us deliver the reliable and affordable energy our customers expect.”

The St. Joseph Solar Farm is the largest solar endeavor for Notre Dame, which collaborated on the large-scale project.

“The St. Joseph solar farm builds on Indiana Michigan Power’s (I&M) commitment to create a sustainable future for our employees, customers and communities we proudly serve in Indiana and Michigan,” said Toby Thomas, I&M president and COO. “A big thank you to the University of Notre Dame for being the first customer to step up and partner with us on a solar farm to create a bright future for our communities.”

“Notre Dame is pleased to collaborate with Indiana Michigan Power on this significant solar energy project. Our commitment to sustainability reflects our Catholic mission and values and recognizes the link between environmental sustainability and the University’s future,” said Rev. John I Jenkins, C.S.C, president of the University of Notre Dame. “It’s important to work within our local community to create projects like the St. Joseph Solar Farm to provide educational opportunities for our students and to have an impact on our environment and economy.”

Facts about the St. Joseph Solar Farm

After a brief delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, construction on the St. Joseph Solar Farm began in July 2020. It took more than 100 workers eight months and 75,000 plus working hours to construct the St. Joseph Solar Farm.

KeyFacts Energy: AEP Renewables US country profile