Dear IndianaDG Readers:
Solar PV projects proposed using the Indianapolis Power and Light (IPL) feed-in tariff (FIT) called Rate REP were submitted last month to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) for approval under the 30 day filing procedure.
26 solar PV projects were submitted for approval by IPL including the project described below for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). This solar farm and the other 25 projects pending would not be possible without the innovative program offered by IPL called Rate REP. The program is a Voluntary Feed-in Tariff (VFIT) as described by advocates of the program such as IndianaDG. The IPL VFIT is one of two programs offered by investor owned utilities (IOUs) in Indiana. The other VFIT is offered by Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO).
The IPL program is a limited pilot program and is now scheduled to expire March 30, 2013. Therefore, this last round of 26 solar PV projects pending approval will be IPL's last unless there is a groundswell of public and ratepayer support to extend the program.
Future blog posts will feature other solar PV installations planned using the IPL Rate REP pilot program. After proposed projects are approved by the IURC they will have 12 months to complete the installations and start producing electricity which is then sold to IPL under a 15 year contract.
Another 48 projects were submitted to IPL for Rate REP that will not be done unless IPL changes its mind about extending the program past March 30, 2013 to allow these additional projects in the queue or on the waiting list to be considered.
It is also not clear whether IPL will consider requesting permission to allow projects on the waiting list to be considered for Rate REP if 1) the current group of projects get approved by the IURC and then 2) fails to construct and bring their projects on-line within the 12 month time frame prescribed in the tariff.
Are you
- an IPL customer and/or a developer/installer with projects in the IPL Rate REP Queue and
- interested in urging IPL to allow your projects on the waiting list to go forward as other approved Rate REP projects drop out?
If so, please contact me at Laura.Arnold@IndianaDG.net or (317) 635-1701.
Or maybe you just think that Rate REP is a great program to bring more renewable energy, especially as distributed generation to diversify IPL's generation. If so, I want to hear from you. OK?
Laura Ann Arnold, President, Indiana Distributed Energy Alliance
25-acre solar farm coming to IMS
Updated: Thursday, 28 Feb 2013, 4:33 PM EST Published : Thursday, 28 Feb 2013, 4:18 PM EST
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has planned to build a 25-acre solar farm on IMS property northeast of the track.
The IMS announced Thursday that it will expand its commitment to renewable energy and green initiatives by building the farm in a partnership with SunWize Technologies, Blue Renewable Energy and the Indianapolis Power and Light Company.
The project will be the largest solar-power system hosted at any sporting facility in the world, according to a release.
The project will bring 39,312 solar modules that will generate a total 9.6 megawatts of power.
Construction is set to begin in May 2013. Officials say it will not interfere with racing events.