Largest Solar Array East of the Rockies Planned Near The Wilds
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Example of a solar array. |
Zanesville, Ohio - October 5, 2010 - Investors and utility executives joined Governor Ted Strickland today to announce the planned construction of the Turning Point Solar Array near southeastern Muskingum County.
The 49.9-megawatt crystalline silicon-based solar array would be the largest solar array in the country today and, when completed, the largest solar array east of the Rocky Mountains. The project is expected to be built in phases but when completed will comprise approximately 239,400 panels on 1,000 acres. The project will represent a remarkable accomplishment for a variety of reasons.
David Wilhelm, an Ohio native of political acclaim who now devotes his energies to venture financing with a social mission, is the visionary behind the project. Wilhelm's company, New Harvest Ventures, created a joint venture with industry experts at Agile Energy of California to make the project happen. They have been joined by a cooperative utility company.
The $250 million dollar project will be built primarily on reclaimed strip mine land where coal was previously removed to fuel power plants. American Electric Power, one of the nation's largest investor-owned utilities has agreed to provide the land, transmission to the grid, and a power purchase agreement for 20 years.
"This project is compelling on several fronts, " said David Wilhelm, New Harvest Ventures Partner. "Turning Point Solar will bring renewable energy to Ohioans at a reasonable rate, utilize reclaimed mine land in an innovative way, and bring new construction and manufacturing jobs to Appalachian Ohio."
The site for the array is adjacent to 10,000 acres owned by The Wilds, one of largest and most innovative wildlife conservation centers in the world. The reclaimed strip-mine land now occupied by The Wilds features rolling prairie lands and has become home to a variety of threatened and endangered species, including many from Africa. Turning Point Solar is working with scientists at The Wilds to explore the use of carbon-capturing native prairie grasses within the solar array site.
The Turning Point Solar project was made viable by some innovative public policies in Ohio. Ohio's Senate Bill 221, which mandated investor-owned utilities generate 25% of their energy from advanced and renewable sources by 2025, has been instrumental in encouraging utilities to invest in renewal energy. Also, Senate Bill 232, passed into law this summer, allows local governments to provide special tax incentives for renewable energy investments.
The project could generate 300 construction jobs, and two Spanish solar equipment manufacturers are evaulating Ohio for facilities. Regional colleges, including Zane State and Ohio University, will work with Turning Point to train advanced energy workers.
While looking very promising, the project is not yet an absolute certainty. The Muskingum County Commissioners have met with Mr. Wilhelm to discuss a payment in lieu of taxes from the project. Federal loan guarantee approvals are pending. The project is also required to complete a National Environmental Policy Act environmental review.
Zanesville, the county seat of Muskingum County, is located along I-70 less than one hour east of Columbus, Ohio, the 16th largest city in the country. Zanesville-Muskingum County is historically ranked in the top 10% of micropolitan communities for corporate investment.