Licking County is cashing in big time on solar energy. With RWE constructing the Union Ridge Solar facility in Harrison Township and Harvey Solar getting the green light from the Ohio Supreme Court, the county’s scenery is transforming faster than you can say “renewable energy.”
These aren’t small-potatoes operations, folks. We’re talking serious megawattage.
Harvey Solar, despite locals trying to block it, will be a massive 350-megawatt facility sprawling across 2,630 acres in Hartford and Bennington townships. The Ohio Supreme Court basically told opponents, “Nice try,” when they upheld the Ohio Power Siting Board’s decision this April.
Meanwhile, Union Ridge Solar is no slouch either at 127.71 megawatts dc (98 megawatts ac) on 550 acres.
Money talks. And these projects are practically screaming dollar signs. Union Ridge Solar will pump approximately $753,900 annually into local coffers, benefiting Harrison Township, Licking County Fund, and Southwest Licking Local School District.
Harvey Solar? Even bigger numbers: $3.15 million yearly in lieu of taxes. Ka-ching!
Jobs are coming too. Union Ridge Solar project alone will create 279 construction positions at peak build. That’s a lot of hardhats and lunch coolers.
These solar farms aren’t just good for wallets—they’re cranking out serious power. Harvey Solar could juice up around 350,000 homes, while Union Ridge will generate between 210,000 to 225,000 megawatt-hours annually. Not too shabby.
The projects are strategically placed near main electrical grid lines and substations, making power distribution a breeze. Smart move, considering how stretched our electrical resources are getting.
Even Mother Nature gets some love. Both projects include plans for pollinator habitats, perennial plants for soil stability, and vegetative buffers. Harvey Solar’s even thinking about letting sheep graze the land. Solar panels and sheep—who would’ve thought?
The final designs for Union Ridge Solar are expected to be completed by early 2025, with construction beginning in February of that year.
These developments align with the global trend where renewable energy now generates 28.8% of electricity worldwide, reducing greenhouse gas emissions while creating economic opportunities.
Ohio’s increasing electricity demands from data centers and other new facilities make these solar projects particularly timely for the state’s energy future.
Bottom line: Licking County is becoming a solar powerhouse, whether the Save Hartford Township folks like it or not. The sun is shining, and so are the economic prospects.
References
- https://www.courtnewsohio.gov/cases/2025/SCO/0430/230793.asp
- https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf/0/2025/2025-Ohio-1503.pdf
- https://www.wosu.org/2025-02-10/organized-opposition-and-support-become-increasingly-common-in-central-ohio-solar-projects
- https://www.unionridgesolar.com
- https://www.thereportingproject.org/ohio-supreme-court-decision-allows-solar-company-to-build-350-million-energy-farm-in-northwestern-licking-county/
