Lightsource BP has announced commercial operation of its Bellflower Solar project, located about 40 miles east of Indianapolis in Henry and Rush Counties. Lightsource BP developed, financed and will own and operate the 152.5MWac project, and has entered into a virtual PPA with Verizon to offtake the energy generated. The solar farm is expected to offset the equivalent of 202,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year, improving air quality while furthering Verizon’s goal of being carbon neutral in its operations (scope 1 and 2) by 2035. James Gowen, senior vice president of global supply chain and sourcing, and chief sustainability officer at Verizon, said: “Verizon is committed to protecting our planet by supporting the production of renewable energy and the transition to a greener US energy grid. “The renewable energy produced by the Bellflower Solar project will help us achieve net zero operational emissions by 2035.”
The Bellflower solar farm brings many environmental benefits to Indiana, in addition to improving air quality by reducing carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation. Lightsource BP planted 800 acres of land under and around the solar panels with vegetation that includes native species beneficial to pollinators and other wildlife, which will be conserved for decades. An additional 10 acres has been dedicated to lush pollinator gardens with more than 60 different types of flowering plants. The solar farm is also participating in a research study which will measure the ecological benefits of pollinator habitat at utility-scale solar. The research team consists of the University of Illinois Chicago, the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, the Argonne National Laboratory, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. In addition, land under and around the solar panels is also being kept in agricultural production. A local commercial beekeeper is managing hives and will produce solar farm honey, while another local Indiana farmer will graze sheep to help maintain the vegetation. Kevin Smith, chief executive of the Americas at Lightsource BP, said: “The Bellflower project is a great example of our commitment to responsible solar development in action. “Beyond delivering clean, affordable and reliable energy, Lightsource bp has a deep commitment to maximizing the sustainable benefits of our solar projects for communities, protecting ecosystems and improving biodiversity.”
Credits: renews.biz [Image: Lightsource BP]