Licking County’s economy just got a jolt of renewable energy—literally. RWE’s Union Ridge Solar Project is setting up shop in Harrison Township, bringing a massive 127.71-megawatt dc facility that’s about to change the local scenery. Not just physically. Financially.
The numbers don’t lie. This solar farm will pump nearly $754,000 into local coffers annually. That’s real money for Licking County, Harrison Township, and Southwest Licking Local School District. Schools getting better? Roads getting fixed? Thank the sun.
Follow the money—$754,000 annually from sunshine straight into schools, roads, and local services.
Jobs are coming too. A lot of them. The project will create 279 construction positions during peak building phases. Electricians, engineers, contractors—people with actual skills making actual money. This follows the pattern of similar developments like the Harvey Solar Project which will create 300 local jobs during its construction.
And let’s not forget the ripple effect on local businesses. More workers mean more lunches bought, more gas pumped, more hotel rooms booked.
Once operational, Union Ridge will generate between 210,000 and 225,000 megawatt-hours of electricity yearly. That’s not just impressive—it’s necessary. With data centers and industrial facilities popping up like dandelions across Ohio, power demand is skyrocketing.
This project plugs directly into the 138 kV Kirk substation, feeding the regional transmission grid. No blackouts today, folks.
Environmental benefits? Sure. No smoke, no fumes, no mysterious gunk dumped into rivers. Just silent panels soaking up sunlight. They’re even planting trees and shrubs around the place to make it less of an eyesore. The project will feature a vegetative buffer of trees and shrubs to minimize visual impact on neighboring properties. How thoughtful.
The 550-acre site was already disturbed land. Now it’ll be productive land. Funny how that works.
This isn’t some isolated experiment. Union Ridge joins about a dozen large-scale solar projects in central Ohio. The state’s flat terrain makes it surprisingly ideal for solar development. Who knew Ohio would become a solar hotspot? Certainly not the coal industry.
For a county historically dependent on traditional industries, this renewable pivot couldn’t come at a better time. These developments align with the national trend where solar power made up 64% of capacity added to the U.S. electric grid in 2024. Stable tax revenue, clean energy, and jobs. What’s not to like?
References
- https://www.wosu.org/2025-05-01/ohio-supreme-court-approves-licking-county-solar-project
- https://www.courtnewsohio.gov/cases/2025/SCO/0430/230793.asp
- https://www.unionridgesolar.com
- https://americas.rwe.com/our-energy/solar-energy/solar-projects-and-locations/
- https://www.wosu.org/2025-02-10/organized-opposition-and-support-become-increasingly-common-in-central-ohio-solar-projects
