FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): A Fort Wayne-based utility company's first solar power facility is up and running.

Indiana Michigan Power's Deer Creek Solar Facility near Marion went online on New Year's Eve and has begun generating solar power, according to a company press release, to the tune of 2.5-megawatts… that's enough to power about 350 homes every year. President and C.O.O. Paul Chodak calls it a “significant milestone” for both I&M and its customers:

“Our large-scale solar facility in Marion and the three I&M is building in the Michiana area in the coming year are an important achievement now, and they collectively mark an important first step into a future that includes more renewable solar energy for I&M customers.”

In addition to the Deer Creek facility, I&M broke ground last fall on the Twin Branch solar facility just outside Mishawaka. Two more facilities – near Watervliet, Mich., and New Carlisle, Ind. – will also begin generating solar energy in 2016. Combined, the four facilities will have a capacity of nearly 15 megawatts and produce enough energy to power 2,000 homes annually.