Doral Renewables, the Mammoth Solar project developer, welcomed the Starke County Youth Club to the Mammoth North Solar site for a tour.
The hands-on tour introduced the students to solar energy technology. Youth also learned about agrivoltaics — where livestock such as sheep and pigs graze beneath solar panels. Agrivoltaics blends renewable energy production with agriculture. The youth club saw the sustainable approach up close. They learned about its role in addressing both energy and environmental needs.
Billy Bope, Mammoth Solar landowner and sheep farmer, hosted the tour. Bope emphasized the importance of such educational efforts.
“It’s inspiring to show these young people how the land is not only producing clean energy but also supporting local agriculture and returning the land back to its heritage,” Bope said in a press release. “It’s an example of how we can get creative with renewable energy in ways that work with our communities.”
The tour aligns with Doral Renewables’ goal of supporting local communities and fostering educational opportunities. Doral Renewables hopes to inspire local youth to explore future career opportunities in engineering, sciences and renewable energy.
“Mammoth North Solar continue to prioritize community engagement, environmental stewardship, economic prosperity and the importance of renewable energy education as part of our broader mission,” Ed Baptista, Doral Renewables vice president of agrivoltaics, said. “By fostering relationships with local organizations like the Starke County Youth Club, Doral Renewables is paving the way for a brighter future, not just in terms of energy but for the young minds that will one day shape it.”
The Mammoth Solar farm will generate 1.3 GW of energy, powering about 275,000 households annually. It has a footprint of 13,000 acres across Starke and Pulaski counties. The project was named “Mammoth” because of ancient mammoth bones discovered in the fields and the scope of the project.
Philadelphia-based Doral Renewables is a developer, owner and operator of renewable energy and storage projects. The company operates in 20 states.
