Ohio Power Siting Board provides updates on local solar projects
Highland County commissioners recently received a local solar project update, which included notification of another certificate of verification being issued, according to correspondence from the Ohio Power Siting Board listed on the Dec. 18 agenda.
The OPSB issues periodic solar project updates to commissioners. According to an email sent Dec. 11, the Ohio Department of Development signed a certificate of verification in October for the New Market Solar Two project.
“Upon receipt of the annual certificate of nameplate capacity, the Director will confirm the mandatory annual service payment in lieu of taxes for the energy facility pursuant to ORC Section 5727.75(G),” the certificate says. “Notice of this mandatory annual service payment will be distributed to New Market Solar ProjectCo 2, LLC, the Tax Commissioner, the Highland County Auditor and the Highland County Treasurer.”
As previously reported, the ODOD issued an order for a related project, New Market Solar I, in August, which will lead to the county collecting the initial PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) in 2025.
For Hecate 4 Solar, a third related project, the ODOD is reviewing the construction completion report, according to the update.
Also noted was a change in ownership for the project.
“Algonquin Power is selling the New Market Solar facility to LS Power pending approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, also known as FERC,” the OPSB report says. “All certificate conditions required of Algonquin Power, including construction, setbacks, PILOT and decommissioning, will be transferred to the new owners.”
As previously reported, commissioners held a virtual conference with OPSB representatives during their July 10 meeting, following the Power Siting Board’s June 20 ruling that New Market Solar violated minimum setback requirements. The OPSB later reported, in August, that New Market Solar would not be appealing that decision.
As of the Dec. 11 update, the OPSB reported that developers are “working to complete the redesign plan to adhere to the new setback requirements,” including finalizing the installation of fencing “at least 20 feet from property lines.”
It was also noted that developers have paid $515,000 “to the Highland County Engineer’s Office for completion of road repairs” in accordance with their Road Use and Maintenance Agreement (RUMA).
In other area solar project updates:
• For the 300 MW Highland Solar project, located in Clay and Whiteoak townships, it was announced that developers “notified OPSB .. that the facility began commercial operation on Oct. 24, 2024.
“Over 120 nearby residents were notified of the change, and the company shared the complaint resolution process,” the report says. “The public can contact Highland Solar at (216) 478-0937 or info@highlandsolarohio.com if they have a question or concern.”
The OPSB added that they recently “reviewed the final items on the list of required construction conditions” and found that developers have replaced broken panels and have changed their mowing contractor and process.
• The Willowbrook project in Highland and Brown counties has reached commercial operation status as of Sept. 27, the report says, and it is “expected to begin [its] Commercial Operation Date soon.”
A previous issue with the main transformer has been resolved, and “testing and commissioning continue.” There were also no complaints filed for the third quarter of 2024.
• The 117 MW Dodson Creek project in Hamer and Dodson townships is under construction, which “is on schedule and is expected to be completed in early 2025.”
• The 200 MW Palomino solar project in Union and Dodson townships is still awaiting the finalization of the Large Generation Interconnection Agreement (LGIA) with PJM, the regional transmission organization, as mentioned by Innergex community and government relations representative Janet Grothe at a meeting this month. They currently expect to begin construction in summer 2025.
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