Ohio has approved the state’s largest solar farm and the US’s largest agrivoltaics project.
The $1 billion Oak Run Solar Project, recently sanctioned by the Ohio Power Siting Board, will cover over 6,000 acres in Madison County, west of Columbus, with some of the land owned by Bill Gates.
The solar farm will span 800 megawatts and include two 3.5-mile-long transmission lines, along with a 300 MW battery energy storage facility, generating enough power for 170,000 households. Developed by Kansas City-based Savion, a Shell Group subsidiary, Oak Run aims to promote sustainable energy solutions.
Despite facing local opposition due to its location on farmland, Oak Run is incorporating agrivoltaics by grazing sheep and growing crops on a portion of the land. The project aims to have 70% of the farmable area designated for agrivoltaics within eight years of operation, making it the largest project of its kind in the US.
According to the Ohio Power Siting Board, Oak Run represents a significant step towards utility-scale solar energy combined with agriculture, providing a model for future projects in the sector.
Nolan Rutschilling, Ohio Environmental Council’s managing director of Energy Policy, emphasized the importance of intertwining agriculture and solar energy to combat the impacts of climate change on Ohio’s agriculture sector.
Aside from its environmental benefits, Oak Run is projected to generate $7.2 million in annual revenue for the county, local governments, and schools, as well as create 1,500 union construction jobs.
Read more: Texas installs another big solar + battery storage project
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