In Ohio, large-scale solar projects often face strong opposition. However, solar advocates have achieved a relatively easy victory in the state, largely due to the location of their proposed project.
The Ohio Power Siting Board unanimously approved the Hamden Energy project in Vinton County, a major clean energy development in southeastern Ohio. The project would feature 149 megawatts of solar generation and 149 megawatts of battery storage on reclaimed coal mine land, Canary Media reported.
While the massive scale alone makes the project noteworthy, the lack of pushback from the Ohio Power Siting Board also was unique.
Here's what to know
The main reason for the lack of strong opposition is the project's location on a brownfield site. As Canary Media reported, developer Recurrent Energy proposed building on reclaimed mine land instead of active farmland.
This decision allowed Recurrent to avoid a common point of conflict in Ohio solar fights, with critics frequently arguing that utility-scale clean-energy projects remove agricultural land from production.
Vinton County is part of Appalachian Ohio, where the mining of coal, iron, and clay once played a major role in the local economy. As those industries have declined sharply over the past century, they have brought the regional economy down with them. About 19% of the county's residents presently live in poverty, according to Canary Media.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
Proponents of large-scale solar and wind projects have often come up against a 2021 state law that gives officials the authority to block such projects. Notably, that law does not apply to energy production that relies on nonrenewable, extracted fuels like coal and gas.
According to Canary Media, public feedback on the proposed solar project has been mixed. The most frequent concern was whether reclamation at the site would be finished before construction begins.
More background
Renewable-energy developers often find it easier to obtain approvals on projects located at former mine lands and other industrial brownfields.
However, that does not mean that such locations are ideal. Canary Media reported that RMI, a clean energy think tank, said projects on reclaimed land can cost more than those on undeveloped "greenfield" sites because of remediation needs and other site conditions.
What's being done?
For its part, Recurrent Energy said that construction on the solar-and-battery array will start only after reclamation is complete.
Andy Chow, a spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, told Canary Media that Cheyenne Resources — which holds the surface mining permit for the property — is responsible for the remediation work.
"Developing a solar project on reclaimed land is an excellent opportunity to harvest another one of the area's abundant resources to power Ohio while providing supplemental tax revenue to support a legacy energy community," said senior development manager for Recurrent Energy Ali Trunzo, per Canary Media.
Where can I learn more?
Similar projects elsewhere show why reused industrial land can make clean energy easier to site, whether the property is a capped landfill, a former coal mine, or part of a community long tied to coal.
• In Mansfield, Ohio, officials approved solar farms on old landfills to create new local power supplies.
• In Illinois, a former coal mine now hosts 16,000 solar panels, enough to supply electricity to 7,000 homes.
• In Minnesota, Xcel's Sherco site is becoming a major solar-and-battery hub as coal retires.
• In Scotland, planners are turning an old coal mine into long-duration energy storage for millions of homes.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
