Local Benefits

Installing solar arrays on private property in Knox County will generate significant economic and ecological benefits for the entire community.  

Solar allows landowners and farmers to diversify their income, plan for retirement, or even put their kids through college, while preserving the land for their future generations. Outside of the benefits to the participating landowners, Frasier Solar communities benefit from the increased tax revenue generated by solar projects. Revenue from Frasier Solar will support Knox County, the Mt. Vernon City School District, critical service-providing agencies like emergency services, career centers, and other local tax jurisdictions.

Ohio counties have the option to receive revenue from utility-scale solar facilities through the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program, which can generate millions of dollars in new revenue for the host county and local taxing jurisdictions. Aside from a stable and predictable revenue stream, the PILOT has many benefits counties and local taxing jurisdictions, including:

• School districts are “held harmless” under state education funding formulas, meaning that the increase in revenue from the solar project will not adversely effect state funding. The solar revenue is additive to their budget.

• 80% in-state labor requirement during construction

• Road use agreement ensuring roads are kept in good shape during construction and returned to their previous condition

• Support for local college or vocational school

• Training and equipment for first responders

Minimal Impact

Modern solar farms consist of thousands of solar modules mounted on racks that are attached to steel posts driven directly into the soil without the use of poured concrete. Existing drainage is maintained and the entire site is planted with hardy, native grasses, even under the solar modules. Frasier Solar will be required to decommission the facility and return the site to its original, agricultural condition upon completion of the project (in 40 years), as well as to post a bond to cover those obligations.

Experience

The Open Road Renewables team developed the 200 MW Hillcrest Solar Project in Brown County, Ohio as well as the 150 MW Willowbrook Solar Project in Highland County, Ohio and is actively developing best-in-class solar projects across the state.