Community should embrace the Stark Solar Project

Let’s talk about the Stark Solar Project , which is a proposed utility-scale solar energy system of up to 150-megawatt alternating current, with battery storage system.

The project will bring significant economic benefits to the community, provide construction jobs for local workers, assist farmers by providing long-term lease payments, benefit the local ecosystems, and help mitigate climate change.

Technological improvements have now made renewable green energy cheaper than fossil fuel energy. Yet, much of Ohio is not cashing in on solar benefits.

As of 2021, Ohio produced only 4% of its electricity using renewable energy. If Ohio wants to manufacture “green steel” and de-carbonize the steel making process in the Ohio River Valley, we need to embrace solar energy in our state, not reject it.

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Over 40 years, the Stark Solar project will generate over $57 million for schools and local services in Stark County. Stark Solar will create construction jobs, as well as long-term operation and maintenance jobs in the local area.

A 2022 study showed that the clean energy sector accounted for 3 million workers, nearly three times that of the fossil fuel extraction and generation sector. Ohio communities need to take advantage of these jobs. Unlike other energy sources, solar is not a consumptive land use form of energy; the land is not destroyed.

Utility scale solar can be paired with other projects to provide additional benefits to communities.

Stark Solar will plant native grasses and forbs to increase soil stability and health, improve filtration and aid in biodiversity and improvement of habitat. Since solar does not destroy the land, farming can be resumed on the area if the solar panels are removed.

Additionally, solar installation leases are lucrative and bring steady revenue to landowners and families with long-term leases that are usually three to five times greater than the income earned from traditional crops. These leases provide rural families revenue, stability and the ability to retain ownership for generations to come.

There are several environmental benefits of solar. There are no climate changing carbon dioxide or methane emissions. A 2020 study on air quality and decarbonization showed that emissions of pollutants like sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and respirable particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns, were avoided by using solar energy sources.

This is very beneficial to human health, especially in areas where air quality issues are observed.

There are a few misconceptions about solar energy that need to be corrected. In no area of the United States does the amount of both existing and potential solar in a county surpass 0.5% of the county’s total land.

Data generated by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service showed that “solar development has not existed in conflict with cultivated agriculture land use at a large enough scale to risk county-level economic agricultural bases.” Solar projects can be expected to claim less than 1% of the tillable acreage across the state of Ohio.

Solar panels do not end up in landfills; they are recycled. Ohio’s First Solar company is currently engaged in the recycling and decommissioning process, which is paid for by the company, not the community. In addition, solar panels today are guaranteed to produce at least 80% of their original power rating after 25 years.

Ohio farmers face obstacles, but not from renewable energy. Farmers in the Midwest are experiencing the effects of climate change; “increased average temperatures, changes in rainfall that can lead to flooding or droughts, and an increase in extreme weather events.”

When I look at my 8.4 kW solar panel system, I see hope for a cleaner, sustainable future for my granddaughters, as well as low energy bills every month.

The sun provides us an endless, free fuel source, and Ohioans should take advantage of it.

Randi Pokladnik was born and raised in the Ohio Valley. She earned a master's degree and doctorate in environmental studies. She is a retired research chemist and teacher.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Community should embrace the Stark Solar Project