Fairbanks Solar Energy Center – Sullivan County Indiana
Status: 🟢 Operating
The Fairbanks Solar Energy Center is a 250-megawatt alternating-current solar photovoltaic facility in Sullivan County, Indiana, developed by Invenergy and acquired by Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), which reached commercial operation on or around July 9, 2025.
Quick Facts
- Physical Address: Near Fairbanks, Sullivan County, Indiana (no civic address confirmed)
- Location: Near Fairbanks, Sullivan County, Indiana
- Capacity: 250 MW AC
- Technology: Solar photovoltaic; approximately 579,652 panels; approximately 1,800 acres
- Developer: Invenergy Solar Development North America LLC (Chicago, IL)
- Owner at commercial operation: Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), a NiSource subsidiary
- O&M Provider: Invenergy Services
- Commercial Operation Date: On or around July 9, 2025
- Power output equivalent: Described as enough to power more than 50,000 American homes (developer claim; not independently verified)
- Last Verified: 2026-04-24
Background
Fairbanks Solar Energy Center LLC filed a petition with the IURC in approximately July 2019 requesting the Commission decline to exercise jurisdiction over its construction and operation as a proposed ~250 MW solar farm on about 1,800 acres near Fairbanks. The Indiana Economic Digest reported on the filing in September 2019. The project is described by Invenergy as the first of multiple Invenergy-developed solar projects in Sullivan County to reach commercial operation.
Regulatory / Filing History
A declination-of-jurisdiction proceeding was filed with the IURC by Fairbanks Solar Energy Center LLC on or around July 2019.
IURC Cause No. 45511 – The OUCC’s official key-cases page lists Fairbanks Solar as IURC Cause No. 45511, a 250 MW facility in Sullivan County, filed as part of NIPSCO’s solar and wind energy program. This cause number is confirmed from the OUCC official website (in.gov/oucc/electric/key-cases-by-utility/nipsco-electric-rates/nipsco-solar-and-wind-energy-cases/).
Ownership Context
The project was developed by Invenergy and transferred to NIPSCO ownership. Invenergy Services retained the operations and maintenance contract. The project is described in Invenergy’s July 2025 press release as “Invenergy’s first solar project to reach commercial operation” from among its Sullivan County portfolio.
What Is Confirmed
- Commercial operation achieved on or around July 9, 2025 (Invenergy press release; Solar Power World; LinkedIn post from Invenergy Services)
- Acquired by NIPSCO (NiSource subsidiary)
- Invenergy Services retained O&M contract
- Originally proposed for ~1,800 acres; approximately 579,652 panels (West Central Indiana EDC, 2019)
- Location: near Fairbanks, Sullivan County, Indiana
What Remains Unclear
- Final installed panel count vs. original petition figures
- PPA terms between NIPSCO and original wholesale market structure
- Whether Invenergy described three or four total Sullivan County projects in its July 2025 press release; the press release wording has not been independently reproduced in full
Related Projects
Ownership History
| Date | Event Type | Owner / Controlling Entity | What Changed | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-07-01 | Ownership transfer / operating owner | Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) | Commercial operation was announced in July 2025, with reporting identifying NIPSCO as owner and Invenergy Services as retained O&M provider. | Invenergy announcement; PV Tech coverage |
| 2021-08-18 | Development control | Fairbanks Solar LLC / Invenergy affiliate structure | The IURC order identified the project company within the Invenergy development structure during the declination proceeding. | IURC Cause No. 45511 docket |
Ownership Sources
- Primary: IURC Cause No. 45511 docket
- Secondary: Invenergy commercial operation announcement
- Secondary: PV Tech coverage
Sources
- Secondary – Developer: Invenergy press release, July 9, 2025 – announces COD, NIPSCO ownership, Invenergy Services O&M
- Secondary – Developer: Invenergy Services LinkedIn post, July 8, 2025 – corroborates COD
- Secondary – Trade Press: Solar Power World, July 8, 2025 – corroborates 250 MW COD
- Secondary – News: Indiana Economic Digest, September 12, 2019 – reports original IURC petition
- Secondary – EDC: West Central Indiana EDC, September 11, 2019 – reports 1,800 acres, 579,652 panels
- Primary – IURC: OUCC key-cases page confirms IURC Cause No. 45511 for Fairbanks Solar (250 MW, Sullivan County; NIPSCO solar program) – in.gov/oucc/electric/key-cases-by-utility/nipsco-electric-rates/nipsco-solar-and-wind-energy-cases/ (confirmed April 24, 2026)
Last Verified: 2026-04-24
Last Verified: 2026-04-24
