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Energy Companies Submit Plans for Three Big Solar Farms in Ohio

photo of Ohio solar farm projects
DAN KONIK
/
SHUTTERSTOCK

A research project at Case Western Reserve University and one at an Akron company --  Echogen – have been awarded a total of $2.4 million from the  Department of Energy for solar research projects. And though solar has lagged in Ohio, three big solar farms are in the works.

The three plants, which have been submitted for approval by state regulators, would generate 125 to 150 megawatts each. To get an idea of just how big this is, the largest solar generator right now is a 20 megawatt facility in Bowling Green.

The plants would be in Brown, Hardin and Vinton counties. Kent Truckor  is with Invenergy, which is leading the projects in Hardin and Vinton.

“I think it’s exciting for us; it’s exciting for the state of Ohio because this is really the first major push into large scale solar development in the state and solar construction and operations,” he said.

The three projects could create more than 1,000 construction jobs and generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes revenue for the counties. 

Andy Chow is a general assignment state government reporter who focuses on environmental, energy, agriculture, and education-related issues. He started his journalism career as an associate producer with ABC 6/FOX 28 in Columbus before becoming a producer with WBNS 10TV.