What it is: Wheatsborough Solar is an energy-generating project from Charlottesville, Virginia-based
Apex Clean Energy that will see the construction of a solar farm on less than 700 acres in Groton Township.
Approved by the Ohio Power Siting Board in September 2021, Wheatsborough Solar began construction activities a little more than a year later with the planting of a cover crop for soil stabilization in the areas where construction is planned, according to Brian O’Shea, Apex director of public engagement.
“Full construction of the facility is expected to commence this summer, and the project is expected to be completed and operational by the end of 2024,” O’Shea says in an email.
Why it’s important: According to the company, the project will generate enough clean energy “to power more than 20,000 average Ohio homes” while while also creating jobs in, both in terms of the construction of the farm and, according to its website, from “companies with renewable energy goals to expand into Erie County and open new locations adjacent to renewable power.”
The benefits go on and on, according to O’Shea.
“Ten years from now, Wheatsborough Solar will have generated more that $12 million in new local tax revenue for Erie County, Groton Township and the Margaretta and Bellevue City School Districts and supported the local economy through operations wages and land lease payments totaling more than $18 million during that time frame,” he says. “By displacing dirtier sources of energy, the project will have also avoided more than 1.8 million tons of carbon pollution over 10 years and reduced other types of air pollution such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.”
How to get involved: There is much information at WheatsboroughSolar.com, including answers to frequently asked
questions and
a page suggesting how you can help get the word out about the project and solar energy.