ITR Concession Co. LLC (ITRCC), which operates and maintains the Indiana Toll Road, has successfully completed a project to install solar energy systems at 14 locations along the Toll Road. The project was carried out in partnership with Solscient Energy, a provider of solar energy solutions based in Toledo, Ohio. The project, named Project Soleil, is intended to produce enough solar energy to power over one-third of the Toll Road’s electricity needs and is estimated to reduce annual carbon emissions by around 900 metric tons.
ITRCC made a commitment in October 2021 to reduce scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. These efforts have been reinforced through the development of “Science Based Targets” and are aligned with the objectives of the Paris Agreement, an international treaty on climate change. Project Soleil is ITRCC’s largest single step to date in achieving these crucial climate targets.
“What comes across loud and clear through our work with ITRCC over the past year is how seriously they are taking their own role in the energy transition,” said Granger Souder, Co-founder of Solscient Energy. “Their embrace of critical steps to move toward renewables in their operations sets an example for others across the country to replicate.”
The solar arrays installed at each of the 14 locations have been designed to meet the energy needs of all the buildings, including maintenance barns and toll plazas, and provide 100% of their energy requirements. The project will generate almost 2,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity annually. Any excess energy generated by the solar panels is fed back into the grid to power local communities.
“I believe our commitment to sustainability isn’t just about reducing our carbon footprint; it’s for a cleaner future for generations to come. Together, we’re not just powering our operations; we’re illuminating a path towards a more sustainable tomorrow,” said Alyssa Staley, ITRCC Executive.
