NAPOLEON, OH: A ribbon cutting celebration for one of the largest solar projects in the state of Ohio was held recently at the Napoleon Solar Facility.
Developed and owned by American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP), the 3.54 MW AC project has more than 17,000 panels. The site produced its first megawatt-hours of sunshine-driven power in August. The project will serve as a model for similar projects.
The solar facility will be connected to the City of Napoleon’s electric system, providing transmission savings. The new electric generation is beneficial to the entire state and region.
Speakers at the ribbon cutting were: Marc Gerken, AMP president/CEO; Napoleon Mayor Ron Behm; David Mustine, JobsOhio general manager; Craig Butler, assistant policy director for the office of Gov. John Kasich; State Rep. Lynn Wachtmann (R-Napoleon); State Sen. Cliff Hite (R-Findlay); Elizabeth Bostdorff, office of Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green);and Michael Peck of Isofoton, North America.
“AMP understands the value of solar as an on-peak resource,” Gerken said. “During the day, especially hot summer days, when spot market prices are highest, solar generation is at its best in terms of the amount of energy generated. Having access to this resource helps keep participants off the spot market and reduces the cost of power. This and similar projects are an important part of AMP’s efforts to diversify our members’ power supply portfolios.”
The Napoleon Solar Facility continues AMP’s role as a regional leader in developing and deploying renewable generation. The work was completed on schedule and under the original capital budget approved by the AMP Board of Trustees.
The ribbon cutting celebration included tours of the Isofoton Manufacturing Facility, which is located near the solar site. Isofoton, a Spanish-based solar manufacturer, supplied the panels for the project.
These Ohio manufacturers have provided components and have benefitted from this project:
- AP Alternatives of Ridgeville Corners built the racking system and installed the panels in the field;
- SSOE, a Toledo-based engineering firm completed all project design and engineering;
- Nextronex won a competitive process to provide the inverters. Nextronex is a small business with offices in the University of Toledo’s business incubator program (Nitschke Technology Commercialization Complex);
- Vernon Nagel of Napoleon was the site work contractor;
- Lake Erie Electric of Toledo was the electrical contractor; and
- Labor on site was provided using the Dublin-based Solar by Soldiers program by Tipping Point Renewable Energy
The Napoleon Solar Facility further diversifies AMP’s member power supply portfolio, which already includes natural gas, advanced coal, hydro, wind and landfill gas, as well as wholesale market purchases.
View official news release