Invenergy, the largest privately held developer, owner, and operator of clean energy projects in the United States, has announced that the Fairbanks Solar Energy Center in Sullivan County, Indiana has officially begun commercial operations. The solar facility has a capacity of 250 megawatts (MW), which is enough to supply clean electricity to more than 50,000 homes and businesses across the region.
The Fairbanks Solar Energy Center was fully developed and constructed by Invenergy. The ownership of the project has since been transferred to Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), which will now operate the facility. Invenergy Services will continue to provide ongoing operations, maintenance, and plant services for the site. The facility is staffed by four full-time employees, while its construction supported nearly 275 jobs, contributing to local employment and economic growth.
The project represents a long-term investment in the Sullivan County community. Over its operational lifespan, the Fairbanks Solar Energy Center is expected to bring more than $125 million in economic benefits to the local area through tax revenues, landowner payments, and other forms of community investment.
Michael Kaplan, Invenergy’s Senior Vice President of Development, stated, “We’re proud to have partnered with NIPSCO and the local community to bring Fairbanks Solar online—the first of multiple Invenergy-developed projects in Sullivan County. Indiana is leading the energy future with a diverse mix of energy technologies – strengthening the power grid and the local economy.”
Vince Parisi, President and Chief Operating Officer at NIPSCO, mentioned, “Projects like the Fairbanks Solar Energy Center are an important component of NIPSCO’s energy generation portfolio. Reliable and cost-effective power sources are essential to Indiana’s energy future.”
Bob Davis, Sullivan County Commissioner, commented, “By bringing increased investment and funding to Sullivan County, Invenergy’s projects allow us to fund county services and better serve the local community. I’m encouraged to see Sullivan County play a larger role in Indiana’s energy leadership.”
This marks Invenergy’s second solar project in Indiana, expanding its growing portfolio of clean energy initiatives across 15 counties in the state. In addition to Fairbanks Solar, the company is actively developing other major energy projects in Sullivan County. These include the Trade Post Solar Energy Center, which is currently under construction and expected to reach commercial operations in 2026, and the Sycamore Riverside Energy Center, a natural gas-powered facility that is in the development stage.
Furthermore, Sullivan County will serve as the eastern endpoint of the Grain Belt Express, a major transmission line project that, once completed, will be the largest in U.S. history. Through projects like Fairbanks Solar, Invenergy continues to play a significant role in advancing clean, reliable, and locally beneficial energy solutions across Indiana and the broader United States.
