South Bend, Ind. June 16th, 2023 – Lightsource bp has developed the first utility-scale
solar array in St. Joseph County, IN. Lightsource bp is currently building and will own
and operate the privately funded approximately $250 million,188-megawatt dc (MWdc)
solar installation, east of the Town of New Carlisle, IN. Inovateus Solar, founded over
thirteen years ago in South Bend, IN, is serving as the prime EPC contractor for this
historic project. Inovateus is majority owned by Galway Sustainable Capital.
The Honeysuckle project will generate clean energy and reduce harmful greenhouse
gas emissions in an area with nationally recognized universities, medical institutions,
and a vibrant local community. The project is located just twenty-three miles west of the
University of Notre Dame and the center of the South Bend community. This will be one
of the largest solar projects in Northern Indiana. The project will use more than 400,000
solar modules, enough to power approximately 27,000 homes and annually reduce
carbon dioxide emissions by 204,000 metric tons. The long-term maintenance of the
land will ensure the aesthetics are in accordance with the character of the community
and cultivate the proper habitat for critical pollinator species in partnership with the Bee
and Butterfly Habitat Fund.
Construction of the Honeysuckle solar project will provide more than 200 construction
jobs over a 12 to 14-month period, with the majority being local workers. The project will
provide more than $30 million in revenue to local government agencies over the next 30
years.
Timothy Sutherland, Executive Chairman of Inovateus Solar commented, “Inovateus
has been developing and constructing solar across the country for 13 years. Being
involved in a project associated with a world-class solar firm like Lightsource bp that is
so close to our neighbors and the institutions that are very important to Inovateus,
enables us to seize the opportunity to protect our common home by providing clean and
sustainable energy.”
Inovateus Chief Operating Officer, John Jackson commented that “We have operated in
Northwest Indiana since our inception, so being able to bring a project of this scale to
our backyard is very exciting for our team. We are scheduled to achieve commercial
operation in 2024.”
The project is scheduled to use First Solar ultra-low carbon modules, Siemens inverters,
ATI racking and Nucor steel pilings. “Inovateus and Lightsource bp are committed to
using U.S-based materials and local labor as much as possible,” commented Mr.
Sutherland.
ABOUT INOVATEUS SOLAR:
Inovateus Solar is a leading solar and energy storage development, EPC (engineering,
procurement, and construction) and supply company in the Midwestern United States.
Headquartered in South Bend, Indiana, the company has over 515 MW of utility,
commercial, industrial, and education sector solar PV projects built and over 2 GW
under development in the U.S. With strong roots in the communities it serves, Inovateus
is passionately committed to investing in the energy future of clients through the wide-
scale deployment of solar and clean energy technologies.
For all media inquiries, contact:
Nathan Vogel
Nathan.Vogel@inovateus.com
