Chicago-based Invenergy has proposed the 200-megawatt solar panel farm to produce enough electricity for more than 40,000 homes.

Indiana environmentalists held a rally and met with lawmakers on Tuesday to demand better renewable energy policies in the state.

A new project aims to provide solar energy for low income households in Indianapolis, the pilot program fits into the citys new sustainability plan.

One farm being planned by the company near the northern Indiana city of Peru would cost $19 million and have about 40,000 solar modules.

The proposed solar farm in northern Madison County would generate 120 megawatts of electricity, but officials with developer Invenergy say that not obtaining the tax abatement could make the project financially impossible.

The proposal calls for nearly 580,000 solar panels on what is mostly farmland near the Sullivan County community of Fairbanks, some 20 miles south of Terre Haute.

Vectren turned to the market to find the best sources for its long-term energy plan and mostly received bids for solar and wind projects.

Purdue researchers are investigating the viability of solar power production on farmland, hoping their work in "aglectric" engineering will balance food and energy production.

Other schools in the state, such as the University of Notre Dame and Indiana University, have their own solar projects already underway.

Brooklyn, New York-based Ranger Power to build the solar project in Shelby County starting in 2022.