Solar power that stays local

Quarry Solar

Northeastern REMC is proud to announce that construction is officially underway for the Quarry Solar Project, located on 40 acres of industrial-zoned land at 100 South and US 30 in Whitley County.

Northeastern REMC is proud to announce that construction is officially underway for the Quarry Solar Project, located on 40 acres of industrial-zoned land at 100 South and US 30 in Whitley County. Slated for completion by late spring 2025, the project is designed to generate over 6,500 kW of DC power, providing reliable, local energy to the cooperative’s members while offsetting rising capacity and transmission costs.
 
The Quarry Solar Project is named in recognition of its unique location—a former rock quarry—reflecting its thoughtful reuse of industrial land for energy production. By transforming this site into a source of energy, NREMC continues its mission to stabilize power costs and maintain affordable electricity rates for its members. Power generated will stay local, directly supplying the grid in Whitley County, reducing reliance on external power markets, and diversifying NREMC’s power supply portfolio.

Agrivoltaics Program Supporting Local Farmers:

  • The Quarry Solar Project integrates solar power generation with agricultural opportunities for Whitley County farmers, including:
  • Grazing sheep under the solar panels to maintain the land and naturally enrich soil quality.
  • Establishing pollinator habitats that enhance crop health and productivity.
  • Offering shaded environments under solar panels to reduce plant stress and stabilize yields.
  • View the brochure here:
View the brochure

Industrial Land Use:

Thoughtfully sited on 40 acres of industrial-zoned land, the project avoids disrupting prime farmland while maximizing land use for energy production.

Local Benefits:

  • 100% of the power generated will stay within the NREMC service area.
  • The project stabilizes energy costs, ensuring future rate increases remain lower than they would be without this solar site.

Hatch Road Solar Project

The Quarry Solar Project builds on the success of the Hatch Road Solar Project, operational since 2023, and represents the next phase in Northeastern REMC’s strategy to meet members’ energy needs while addressing the challenges of a changing energy market. 

FAQs

100% of the power generated will stay within the NREMC service area.

The project stabilizes energy costs, ensuring future rate increases remain lower than they would be without this solar site.

The site is locally owned, operated, and maintained by Northeastern REMC. The power stays within the community. 
 
NREMC technicians, who have experience with solar, will handle the maintenance, with support from the manufacturer if needed.

It diversifies NREMC’s power supply, reducing risk and ensuring a more reliable energy mix.

The solar site covers approximately 40 acres, making it compact and efficient.

The site used to be a rock quarry, which means the ground is of poor quality for other types of development. It is now zoned industrial land and located near other industrial properties and US 30.

The solar panels are mounted on steel I-beams that are driven directly into the ground without using any concrete. This makes it easy to remove if the site is ever deactivated in the future.

No, the panels are solid-state and do not contain any liquids or fluids, making them safe and eco-friendly.

The typical panel composition is:
76% glass
10% plastics
8% aluminum
5% silicon
1% copper
Less than 0.01% other metals

At their highest point, the panels will be less than 10 feet tall.

No, the site does not produce any emissions or waste.

There will be no noticeable sound at the property lines of the site.

The performance of the site is guaranteed for 20 years, but the panels are expected to last 25 years or more.

The Quarry Solar Project integrates solar power generation with agricultural opportunities for Whitley County farmers, including:
 
Grazing sheep under the solar panels to maintain the land and naturally enrich soil quality.
Establishing pollinator habitats that enhance crop health and productivity.
Offering shaded environments under solar panels to reduce plant stress and stabilize yields.