Taking root across three counties in rural Ohio, the Fox Squirrel Solar project is poised to become one of the largest solar installations in the Midwest, marking a significant milestone in the state’s energy transition. Its immense scale underscores the economic viability of utility-scale solar in the region, bringing substantial investment and long-term revenue to agricultural communities while contributing to a diversified power grid.
Significance & Context
The Fox Squirrel Solar project is a monumental 577-megawatt (MW) facility being developed by Open Road Solar. The project’s output is being sold to the wholesale market managed by PJM Interconnection, helping to meet the growing regional demand for clean energy. As one of the largest solar projects east of the Mississippi, its development is a key indicator of solar’s competitiveness in the region, a trend highlighted in PJM’s Renewable Energy Integration Report. Once fully operational, the project will generate enough electricity to power over 100,000 Ohio homes.
Development Timeline
Development for the multi-phase Fox Squirrel Solar project began with land acquisition and community engagement in 2019. The project successfully secured its interconnection agreement with PJM, a status documented in the public PJM Generation Interconnection Queue. After securing local approvals from Madison, Clark, and Greene counties, construction on the first phase commenced in 2023. The project is being built in phases, with the final phase scheduled to achieve commercial operation by the end of 2025.
Technology & Innovation
The Fox Squirrel Solar project utilizes a fixed-tilt mounting system, a robust and cost-effective solution well-suited to Ohio’s climate. A key feature of its design is a comprehensive commitment to agrivoltaics. The project plan includes establishing significant pollinator habitats and will allow for continued sheep grazing across the site. This dual-use approach, supported by research from the Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, aims to maintain agricultural productivity, support local ecosystems, and set a new standard for combining farming with energy generation.
Challenges & Controversies
A significant challenge for the Fox Squirrel Solar project was navigating the varied zoning regulations and addressing concerns from residents across three different counties. Some community members expressed apprehension about the project’s scale and its impact on the rural landscape. The developers addressed this through a sustained and transparent public engagement campaign, holding numerous town halls and one-on-one meetings. The resolution involved agreeing to enhanced setback requirements, robust visual screening with vegetation buffers, and presenting legally binding decommissioning plans to each county, ensuring the land can be restored to its original state.
Community & Economic Impact
The project delivers a transformative economic boost to the tri-county area. During peak construction, Fox Squirrel Solar typically employs over 500 workers, providing a massive influx of business for local services. Over its 35-year operational life, the project is projected to generate tens of millions of dollars in new property tax revenue. This revenue will likely contribute substantially to local school districts, township services, and county infrastructure. For the numerous landowners hosting the arrays, the long-term lease payments offer a stable and reliable source of income, providing financial security and diversifying the agricultural economy.
Future Outlook
Once fully operational, the Fox Squirrel Solar project will stand as a cornerstone of Ohio’s clean energy generation for decades. Its sheer size and successful multi-county development will serve as a benchmark for future large-scale solar in the region. The project’s design also allows for the potential future co-location of battery storage. As analyzed in the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) state profile for Ohio, adding storage could allow Fox Squirrel to supply power during peak demand periods, further enhancing its value to the PJM grid and solidifying its long-term role in the state’s energy portfolio.
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