National Grid’s Yellowbud solar project.
National Grid Renewables has announced the start of onsite construction at its Dodson Creek Solar Project in Highland County, Ohio. Once operational, the Dodson Creek project, located within the PJM market, will deliver 117 MW of clean solar power and generate an estimated $49 million in direct economic benefit for the local community. The project is estimated to begin operations in mid-2025.
“Dodson Creek is our fourth project to begin construction in Ohio and the second in Highland County,” said Joe Ibrahim, VP of construction and engineering for National Grid. “This project is the next chapter in our commitment to helping communities across Ohio realize the economic benefits of the clean energy transition.”
Dodson Creek follows National Grid Renewables’ operational Yellowbud Solar project — the first and largest project in its Ohio portfolio, as well as its current construction projects, Ross County Solar and Fayette Solar. In total, and in addition to a robust development portfolio, the four projects represent a 558.5 MW portfolio of construction and operating projects throughout the Buckeye state.
Dodson Creek will positively impact the local community in many ways. Throughout the construction phase, the 1,300-acre project will create and sustain approximately 200 construction jobs. Dodson Creek is contracted with Kiewit as the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) partner.
“Our fourth collaboration with NG Renewables on the Dodson Creek Solar Project exemplifies our enduring partnership and commitment to renewable energy,” said Brian Koller, VP of Kiewit Power Constructors Co. “We value the strong relationships we have built with the local union craft and the Highland County community. Kiewit is proud to contribute to a sustainable future through the Dodson Creek Solar Project.”
In continuing its longstanding partnership with First Solar, the Dodson Creek project will utilize next generation Series 7 modules developed and produced by First Solar at its Toledo, Ohio manufacturing facility.
“There is real momentum driving the growth of solar in Ohio today, First Solar’s home state,” said Darin Green, senior director at First Solar. “We are proud to be supporting National Grid Renewables with American-made Series 7 modules, manufactured about 3.5 hours away from the Dodson Creek site, as they continue to prominently contribute to Ohio’s sustainable energy future. We are certain Dodson Creek will be a great addition to the state.”
Once operational, the project is anticipated to produce approximately $21 million in new tax revenue for Highland County and local townships, school districts and emergency (fire/EMS/mental health) districts. Additionally, National Grid Renewables has pledged to contribute $585,000 to Highland County charities and organizations through a dedicated charitable fund. This follows a previous pledge of over $1 million to the Ohio communities of Ross and Pickaway Counties through its Yellowbud Solar project. These charitable funds are unique to National Grid Renewables and exemplify how they commit to being good neighbors within the communities in which their projects are built.
News item from National Grid Renewables
It is possible to use bifacial panels on vertical stands that are far enough apart to drive a combine through. The land can be used for solar and row crops simultaneously. This is used in countries with limited farmland remaining. It is not widely used in this country because the type of panel used for this type of solar was heavily tariffed to protect domestic solar companies. With states like New Jersey with only ten percent of its farm land remaining we might need to evaluate this for future projects. This is true agrivoltaics.
Solar can be combined with agriculture – ever heard of agrivoltaics?
I think it’s a very bad idea to take up good quality farm ground that’s helps feed the world to put solar panels on. There are many other locations for the panels but never looked at not to mention all the other concerns people have . The only good ever mentioned when talking about solar is how much money it generates well in the future when they no longer work in this area what are they going to tell people? Biggest eye sore for Ohio…
No one is forcing the farmland owner to do this