News & Events

IMPA’s solar program reached its 10th anniversary this summer, achieving nearly 200 megawatts (MWs) of solar capacity through 50 solar parks established in member communities. Over the last decade, the program grew from a novel idea to a meaningful portion of IMPA’s overall power supply portfolio. The power generated by these solar parks contributes to the diversity of IMPA’s power resources, playing a vital role in the Agency’s mission of providing low-cost, reliable, and environmentally responsible electricity.

Back in 2013, IMPA and its Board of Commissioners were still unsure of the viability of solar power. While some investor-owned utilities were incorporating large, local solar farms into their power supply portfolio, IMPA was hesitant about the actual cost and performance of solar power generation. After careful study of the possibilities of solar, the IMPA Board approved small-scale demonstration solar projects comprised of three, 1-megawatt (MW) parks owned and operated by IMPA in member communities to further analyze the resource’s potential. With design oversight and construction in the hands of IMPA, and the solar parks constructed in three IMPA communities, the Agency’s staff and commissioners would directly learn from this pilot program whether more solar projects made economic sense for the Agency as a whole.

In 2014, three 1-MW solar parks came online in the member communities of Frankton, Rensselaer, and Richmond, Indiana and began contributing to IMPA’s portfolio. The Frankton and Rensselaer sites housed fixed-tilt solar panels that were permanently mounted southern-facing at 25 degrees from horizontal to maximize annual energy production. The Richmond solar park was designed differently, including single axis tracking panels that tracked the sun as it rose in the east and set in the west. These differences in construction design allowed IMPA to examine the efficacy of each for potential future projects.

These three solar parks performed exceedingly well in their first partial year of operation, generating 1.5 million kilowatt hours through 2014 and expanding IMPA staff’s knowledge of solar power. Since all three of the parks had also been constructed under their allotted budget, the Agency’s Board and staff were confident in developing more solar projects at even larger scales in a cost-effective manner.

Since 2014, IMPA has established 50 solar parks in 29 different member communities, most of which feature single axis tracking panels like the original Richmond Solar Park. The generation created at each of these parks is consumed within the member community that the park is in, directly benefiting utility customers. Each solar park also contributes to the diversity of IMPA’s power supply portfolio, which increases the reliability of the Agency’s supply. The communities with IMPA solar parks in their service territory benefit by IMPA keeping the investments local along with the property taxes that IMPA pays. The communities also can leverage these facilities in business attraction since renewable energy is increasingly marketable. These benefits only continue to advance as IMPA optimizes the solar construction process and finds new ways to create these opportunities at low costs.

“Through the years of learning, we’ve gone from contracting out the engineering work to completing all engineering work in-house, which contributes to cost saving measures and a deep knowledge base,” said Jack Alvey, President and CEO of IMPA. “We’ve established a fruitful relationship with Brandt Construction for construction management portions of our solar projects, and we’ve worked with taxable entities to achieve savings through federal investment tax credits before having direct access to the savings ourselves.”

IMPA is the only public power agency in the United States that has created, built, owned, and operated a solar program of this size and scale. The Agency’s unique strategy of building solar facilities in its member communities benefits IMPA’s power supply portfolio, member tax revenue, and overall transmission costs. With 10 years of success under its belt, IMPA looks forward to four upcoming solar parks in Richmond, Tipton, Veedersburg, and Winamac, which will bring approximately 13 additional megawatts online.

As the nation’s and world’s power supply makeup changes to include more renewables and legislation and policy changes create stricter regulations for power utilities, IMPA is prepared to continue providing reliable power to its member communities with assets like its solar program. The innovative ideas that IMPA explored a decade ago have allowed the Agency to safeguard its power supply portfolio over the last 10 years and the decades to come. In this way, IMPA’s solar parks allow for a bright future.

For more information about IMPA’s solar parks, visit www.impa.com/solar.

The IMPA Wire is produced on a bi-monthly basis to provide information about IMPA, the utility industry, and public power in Indiana. Read the May - June 2024 edition below.

June 11, 2024 - Two commissioners of the Indiana Municipal Power Agency (IMPA) - Kevin Strickler of Williamsport, IN and Tony Pochard of Anderson, IN - were recognized with awards from the American Public Power Association for their dedication to their municipal utilities. APPA is the country's voice for not-for-profit utilities, advocating for and lending support to public power utilities across the US. These prestigious awards were presented to honorees on Tuesday, June 11 at APPA's National Conference in San Diego, California. 

Strickler was recognized with the Larry Hobart "Seven Hats" award. This award honors managers who serve in smaller communities and whose variety of management responsibilities extends well beyond those of a manager in a larger system with larger staff. As Superintendent for Williamsport, Strickler has worked for the community for four decades and oversees all planning and design aspects for the community's four utilities: electric, water, wastewater, and street. He's also the retired Fire Chief of the town and is very active in the community's summer baseball program.

As former Utility Director of Anderson Municipal Light and Power (AML&P), Pochard received the James D Donovan award, which recognizes utility leaders who have made substantial contributions to the electric utility industry with a special commitment to public power. Under Pochard's leadership, AML&P collaborated with IMPA to bring 39.4 megawatts of solar capacity to Anderson, drove economic development activity through excellent service, and vastly improved the utility's electric reliability. He also served on IMPA's Executive Committee, Legislative Committee, Operating Committee, and APPA's Board of Directors. 

"Both Tony and Kevin epitomize the ideals of public power through their work and how they spend their time," said Jack Alvey, President and CEO of IMPA. "They've committed their knowledge and skills to making their communities better, and we are proud to see them recognized for their dedication at the national level. We're privelaged to have had both of them as commissioners and leaders of our Agency." 

_The Indiana Municipal Power Agency is the not-for-profit wholesale power provider to 61 cities and towns in Indiana and Ohio who own and operate the municipal electric distribution systems in their communities. IMPA member communities deliver electric service to approximately 340,000 individuals throughout the state. For more information, visit www.impa.com._

The IMPA Wire is produced on a bi-monthly basis to provide information about IMPA, the utility industry, and public power in Indiana. Read the March - April 2024 edition below.

The IMPA Wire is produced on a bi-monthly basis to provide information about IMPA, the utility industry, and public power in Indiana. Read the January - February 2024 edition below.

The IMPA Wire is produced on a bi-monthly basis to provide information about IMPA, the utility industry, and public power in Indiana. Read the November - December 2023 edition below.

KNIGHTSTOWN, IN – A new renewable power source is up and running in Knightstown! Officials from the community and students from Knightstown Community High School joined with representatives from the Indiana Municipal Power Agency (IMPA) to cut the ribbon on the Knightstown Solar Park on Monday, November 20th.

The Knightstown Solar Park is IMPA’s 50th constructed solar park in the state.  Rated at 1.3 MW-AC, the facility can produce an annual amount of energy enough to power approximately 238 homes. The park is located on approximately 8 acres of land and is comprised of 3,816 solar panels. Utilizing a single axis tracking system, the solar panels will move throughout the day following the path of the sun.

"Our town has worked with IMPA to upgrade its metering system, sponsor community events, and improve our electric reliability," said Sarah Ward, IMPA Commissioner for Knightstown.  "Now the town is proud to have a solar park to add to its list of accomplishments."

“IMPA’s ongoing commitment to providing a low-cost, reliable and environmentally responsible power supply to our 61 communities is a top priority for the Agency,” said Jack Alvey, IMPA President and CEO. “Diversifying our power portfolio allows IMPA to stay on the cutting edge of trends and policy changes while maintaining a reliable portfolio to serve our members. Our collaboration with Knightstown in constructing a solar park in the community not only benefits the town by keeping the investment and property taxes local, but it helps all the Agency’s member communities plan for a bright future.”

IMPA has constructed 50 solar parks throughout the state, adding over 196 MW of solar generation to its power supply portfolio. Other nearby IMPA communities in which solar parks are located include Greenfield, Middletown, Spiceland, and Richmond.

Indiana Municipal Power Agency and City cut the ribbon for new 9.9 megawatt facility.

WASHINGTON, IN – Officials from Washington joined with representatives from the Indiana Municipal Power Agency (IMPA) to cut the ribbon on the Washington 2 Solar Park on Thursday, November 9th.

The Washington 2 Solar Park is IMPA’s largest constructed solar park, rated at 9.9 MW-AC and can produce an annual amount of energy enough to power approximately 1980 homes. The park is located on approximately 57 acres of land and is comprised of 28,224 solar panels. Utilizing a single axis tracking system, the solar panels will move throughout the day following the path of the sun.

“IMPA’s ongoing commitment to providing a low-cost, reliable and environmentally responsible power supply to our 61 communities is a top priority for the Agency,” said Jack Alvey, IMPA President and CEO. “Diversifying our power portfolio allows IMPA to stay on the cutting edge of trends and policy changes while maintaining a reliable portfolio to serve our members. Our collaboration with Washington in constructing a solar park in the community not only benefits the town by keeping the investment and property taxes local, but helps all of the Agency’s member communities plan for a bright future.”

IMPA has constructed 50 solar parks throughout the state, adding over 196 MW of solar generation. Other nearby IMPA communities in which solar parks are located include Huntingburg and Jasper.

Indiana Municipal Power Agency and Middletown cut the ribbon for new 1.35 megawatt facility.

MIDDLETOWN, IN – Officials from Middletown joined with representatives from the Indiana Municipal Power Agency (IMPA) to cut the ribbon on the Middletown Solar Park on Friday, October 20th. Community representatives, State Representative Cory Criswell, the office of US Senator Mike Braun, and students from Shenandoah Middle School were on hand to celebrate the addition of the renewable energy source in the community.

The Middletown Solar Park is located on 10 acres of land and is comprised of 3,888 solar panels. The facility is rated at 1.35 MW-AC and will produce an annual amount of energy to power about 238 homes. Utilizing a single axis tracking system, the solar panels will move throughout the day following the path of the sun.

“Just one year ago, we held a groundbreaking ceremony for this renewable energy project. Today, we celebrate its completion,” commented Ron Koons, IMPA Commissioner for the Town of Middletown. “The addition of this park has diversified the generation resources serving our town while providing an educational opportunity for our students, residents, and visitors. We were excited to partner with IMPA on this project and are grateful to be one of the many communities in their membership with a local solar park.”

“IMPA’s ongoing commitment to providing a low-cost, reliable and environmentally responsible power supply to our 61 communities is a top priority for the Agency,” said Jack Alvey, IMPA President and CEO. “Diversifying our power portfolio allows IMPA to stay on the cutting edge of trends and policy changes while maintaining a reliable portfolio to serve our members. Our collaboration with Middletown in constructing a solar park in the community not only benefits the town by keeping the investment and property taxes local, but helps all of the Agency’s member communities plan for a bright future.”

IMPA has constructed 48 solar parks throughout the state, adding over 190 MW of solar generation. Other nearby IMPA communities in which solar parks are located include Anderson, Frankton, and Pendleton. IMPA is nearing completion of its 50th solar park in nearby Knightstown. For more information about IMPA’s solar parks, visit www.impa.com/solar. The Indiana Municipal Power Agency is the not-for-profit wholesale power provider to 61 cities and towns in Indiana and Ohio who own and operate the municipal electric distribution systems in their communities. IMPA member communities deliver electric service to approximately 350,000 individuals throughout the state.

The IMPA Wire is produced on a bi-monthly basis to provide information about IMPA, the utility industry, and public power in Indiana. Read the September - October 2023 edition below.

The IMPA Wire is produced on a bi-monthly basis to provide information about IMPA, the utility industry, and public power in Indiana. Read the August 2023 edition below.

The IMPA Wire is produced on a bi-monthly basis to provide information about IMPA, the utility industry, and public power in Indiana. Read the June - July 2023 edition below.

Officials from Bremen joined with representatives from the Indiana Municipal Power Agency (IMPA) to cut the ribbon on the Bremen Solar Park on Thursday, May 11th. Town officials and employees, community representatives, and local students from Bremen Elementary Middle School were on hand to celebrate the addition of the renewable energy source in the community.

The Bremen Solar Park is located on 32.15 acres of land and is comprised of 20,852 solar panels. The facility is rated at 6.7 MW-AC and will produce an annual amount of energy to power about 1,238 homes. Utilizing a single axis tracking system, the solar panels will move throughout the day following the path of the sun.

“This solar park has been in the works for several years, and we’re excited to be celebrating it today,” commented Trend Weldy, Director of Operations for Bremen. “The addition of this park has diversified the generation resources serving our town while providing an educational opportunity for our students, residents, and visitors. We were excited to partner with IMPA on this project and are grateful to be one of the many communities in their membership with a local solar park.”

 “IMPA’s ongoing commitment to providing a low-cost, reliable and environmentally responsible power supply to our 61 communities is a top priority for the Agency,” said Jack Alvey, IMPA President and CEO. “Diversifying our power portfolio allows IMPA to stay on the cutting edge of trends and policy changes while maintaining a reliable portfolio to serve our members.  Our collaboration with Bremen in constructing a solar park in the community not only benefits the town by keeping the investment and property taxes local, but helps all of the Agency’s member communities plan for a bright future.”

IMPA has constructed 44 solar parks throughout the state, adding over 173 MW of solar generation. Other nearby IMPA communities in which solar parks are located include Argos, Columbia City, and Walkerton.

The IMPA Wire is produced on a bi-monthly basis to provide information about IMPA, the utility industry, and public power in Indiana. Read the April 2023 edition below.

The IMPA Wire is produced on a bi-monthly basis to provide information about IMPA, the utility industry, and public power in Indiana. Read the February - March 2023 edition below.