Responsible Growth and Sustainable Revenue for Morrow County

Blossom Solar

Blossom is a proposed 144 MW solar project located in Washington Township, Morrow County, OH. The project will consist of many interconnected solar modules mounted on racking affixed to steel pilings driven into the ground without need for concrete foundations.

The Blossom Solar Project is owned by Solar Systems. Sol Systems is a leading national solar energy firm with an established reputation for integrity and reliability across its development, infrastructure, and environmental commodity businesses. Sol Systems will be the long-term owner and operator of the Blossom Solar Project.



 

Local Benefits

Solar allows landowners 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, there are benefits to the community from the increased tax revenue generated by the project. This revenue supports local tax jurisdictions where the Blossom is located, including, but not limited to, the Northmor Local School District in Washington Township, children services, emergency services, and Morrow County.

Morrow County Commissioners approved Blossom’s proposed Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) application, which will bring nearly $1.3 million to the County on an annual basis to local taxing jurisdictions (more than 15x what is currently collected from the same acreage). This equates to over $50 million over the 40-year life of the project.

Aside from predictable revenue, the PILOT has many benefits to Morrow County and local taxing jurisdictions, including:

  • Northmor School District will be “held harmless”, meaning that the increase in revenue due to Blossom will not affect the school finance formula. This revenue is additive to their budget.

  • 80% in-state labor requirement during construction

  • Road Use and Maintenance 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 racking. The racking is mounted on steel posts driven 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. Blossom is required to bond the project’s eventual decommissioning, allowing for adequate funding to return the site to its current agricultural condition.

Project Location

Blossom will be a photovoltaic (“PV”) electric generation facility located north of Iberia in Washington Township, Morrow County. The Project will have a maximum nameplate capacity of 144 MW. The Project will occupy about 1,150 acres of agricultural land, which can be returned to farming after 40 years. Construction of the facility is expected to begin as early as summer 2024 and take approximately 12 months.

 
 

Preliminary Maximum Extent Site Plan

Maximum capacity: 144 MW

Total fenced area: 1,150 acres (+/-)

Inverter Type: Central

Racking type: Single-Axis Tracker

Foundation: Driven Pilings

Maximum height: 15 feet

Ground Coverage Ratio: 31% (+/-)

Minimum Setbacks from Non-Participating Residences

Fence: >250 feet

Inverters: >500 feet

Minimum Setbacks from Property Lines and Road ROWs

Fence: >25 feet

Minimum Setbacks from Streams and Wetlands

Fence: >25 feet