Construction Approved for Solar Energy Project in Fairfield County

Article Presented By Hometown-Motors, Inc.

(Columbus) – The Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) has approved an agreement allowing Eastern Cottontail Solar, LLC to construct a 220-megawatt solar-powered electric generation facility in Walnut Township in Fairfield County.

The Eastern Cottontail Solar facility will consist of large arrays of photovoltaic modules, commonly referred to as solar panels, secured on a single-axis tracker racking system. The project will occupy 898 acres within a 1,550-acre project area and will include associated facilities such as access roads, underground collection lines, inverters, and a substation.

Eastern Cottontail Solar must adhere to 64 conditions designed to minimize potential impacts during the construction and operation of the facility. Among these conditions, Eastern Cottontail Solar must install agricultural style perimeter fencing, implement setbacks of 50 feet to non-participating property boundaries and 300 feet to non-participating residences, and post a decommissioning bond to ensure the removal of the facility at the end of its useful life. The agreement approved by the OPSB was signed by parties, including Eastern Cottontail Solar, the Ohio Environmental Council, local trade unions, landowner intervenors, and the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.