Phase 1 of the Fox Squirrel Solar project near Mt. Sterling began commercial operations last week. EDF Renewables North America and Enbridge Inc., the companies supporting the project, announced the initiation of electric generation at an event last week.Â
The project has three total phases, all of which are expected to be completed by the end of 2024. When the solar project is fully operational, it will be one of the largest operations of its kind east of the Mississippi and will include 1.4 million panels and 159 inverters.
During the event, Amazon issued a statement that “it has entered into power purchase agreements for the full generation capacity” from Phase 1 of the Fox Squirrel Solar.Â
Solar generation has been growing rapidly in Ohio. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, through June of 2023 there were 1.38 megawatts of solar generation installed in Ohio, representing an investment of more than $2 billion. Ohio ranks 22nd in the nation for installed solar generation, up from 32nd last year.
The growth of solar in Ohio has raised concern and opposition from many local residents throughout Ohio, including from those near the Fox Squirrel Solar facility. Craig Cope, who lives in Richwood, noted on facebook the harm that will be done to the land. “The farm ground will never return to farm ground. They ruin it totally. How can you tear down a woods with 100 year growth and say it will be restored after a 30 year lease?” he wrote on Facebook.Â
