One of the largest proposed solar projects in the country could be located in Ohio

Published September 27, 2023 at 4:00 AM EDT

From power producer Innergex: "Amazon Solar Farm Ohio – Hillcrest is a 200 MW solar energy facility located in Brown County, Ohio in the United States. At the time of its commissioning, on May 11, 2021, it was the largest solar energy facility in the state of Ohio." — Amazon Solar Farm Ohio in Hillcrest, a 200 MW solar energy facility located in Brown County.

The renewable energy company Savion made arguments before the Ohio Power Siting Board in May to seek approval for the Oak Run Solar Project. If approved, the solar farm — built on thousands of acres of land owned by Bill Gates in Madison County, Ohio — would be one of the largest solar farms in the country. The project will test whether the use of agrivoltaics, the dual use of land for solar panels and agriculture, is possible.

However, the project has been met with opposition by residents and commissioners of three townships in Madison County: Monroe, Somerford, and Deercreek townships.

On Cincinnati Edition, we learn more about the proposed project and how agrivoltaics can support renewable electricity production and agriculture simultaneously.

Guests:

Dan French, Solar Farm Summit executive producer
Jack Van Kley, attorney, Van Kley Law, LLC

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