Solar Array Generates More Than Rays
One of the most innovative and collaborative projects in the history of northwest Ohio has transformed an old Jeep manufacturing site into a solar array that is producing renewable energy with the goal of supporting neighborhood reinvestment and creating resources to meet community needs.
A 2.5 megawatt solar array was developed across two sites in Toledo’s Overland Industrial Park – the North Site and South Site. Preparation of the land for installation of racking to hold the solar panels on the North Site started in September 2019, racking was installed, and solar panels started being installed in June 2020. By July 2020, the North Site was completed with solar modules provided by the largest American solar technology manufacturer, First Solar, Inc.; inverters provided by Yaskawa Solectria Solar; and design and construction services provided by GEM Energy, JDRM Engineering, Mannik Smith Group and TTL Associates. The installation of solar panels on the South Site was completed in August 2020.
And so the next chapter in this story begins. The solar array will generate clean, renewable energy in Toledo’s Overland Industrial Park. The electricity will be purchased by Dana’s Toledo Driveline facility, located in the park. Revenue from the sale of electricity will be invested in the Solar Toledo Neighborhood Foundation of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation, and grants will be awarded to local nonprofit organizations to focus on development of the neighborhoods surrounding Overland Industrial Park. The solar array is expected to generate more than $300,000 annually. It is expected that funds will be available for distribution to local nonprofit organizations working to better the neighborhoods surrounding the Overland Industrial Park by the end of 2021.