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Ohio’s largest solar field completed three months early

The largest solar project in Ohio so far, the Wyandot County solar field will generate power for 1,400 homes

Colorado-based developer Juwi Solar, Inc., has completed a 12-megawatt solar power project in Wyandot County, Ohio.

The largest in the state, the facility was completed three months early thanks to workers who were almost all Ohio residents.

The facility should provide enough renewable energy to supply around 1,400 homes with power.

Juwi Solar, which has its offices in Boulder, Colorado, developed and project and carried out the engineering, procurement and construction services for the facility.

The project was built for owner PSEG Solar Source, part of New Jersey energy company PSEG, which bought the project from Juwi back in September 2009.

Juwi is to operate and maintain the facility on behalf of PSEG, which will sell generated power to Columbus Southern Power and Ohio Power Company, operating companies of American Electric Power (AEP).

Michael Martin, managing director of Juwi Solar, said: “This project is the result of the commitment of the State of Ohio to promoting solar power generation and AEP’s leadership role in complying with the state’s renewable energy goals.”

As part of the project, the company will also be building solar photovoltaic systems for three local high schools in order to provide them with free zero-emission electricity and for education purposes.

Ohio tax reform

Last week saw Ohio adopting a new tax system for renewable energy developments.

Governor Ted Strickland signed Senate Bill 232, which exempted renewable energy projects from costly personal property taxes, setting a $7,000 per megawatt flat rate tax for projects that begin construction before January 1, 2012 and produce energy by 2013 (see this BrighterEnergy.org story).

Ahead of signing the bill, he said it would see more jobs created in the state.

Gov Strickland said: “The elimination of this burdensome tax strengthens Ohio’s competitiveness in the growing energy production industries.”