Leeward breaks ground on 196MW Ohio PV plant using First Solar thin-film tech

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Leeward contracted SOLV Energy to handle the EPC of the 196MW ‘Big Plain Solar’ project in Ohio. Image: Brian Doll, SOLV Energy.

Renewables developer and operator Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE) has started the construction of a 196MW solar PV plant in London, Ohio.

The company has signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with telecommunications giant Verizon Communications to supply the power from the ‘Big Plain Solar’ project, which is part of a larger PPA between both companies signed in January 2022.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

The engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of the project will be handled by EPC contractor SOLV Energy.

First Solar will provide its thin-film PV solar modules, with both companies signing a multi-year procurement agreement earlier this year for 1GW of First Solar’s modules.

Moreover, the project will take into consideration its surrounding environment by implementing sustainable practices that includes a soil health monitoring programme and a pollinator habitat for bees.

John Wieland, chief development officer at LRE, said: “Across the LRE portfolio, we are continuously looking for ways to implement innovative land management practices to improve the soil health and aesthetics of our projects, and we look forward to implementing these practices at Big Plain Solar.”

Leeward Renewable Energy expects the ‘Big Plain Solar’ project to reach commercial operation by June 2023.

Last June, the US developer had started work on a 200MW solar plant in Texas that is expected to be operational by the last quarter of 2023.

Read Next

June 26, 2025
A round-up of news from the US solar sector this week, including Akuo, Meta and RWE.
June 25, 2025
First Solar has sold US$311.8 million in tax credits to “a leading financial institution” under the rules set out in the IRA.
June 25, 2025
US EPC contractor SOLV Energy has acquired high-voltage (HV) transmission contractor Arizona-based Spartan Infrastructure.
June 24, 2025
Independent power producer (IPP) Enery Development has formed a 50-50 joint venture (JV) with Romanian oil and gas producer OMV Petrom to build a 400MW solar PV plant in Bulgaria.
June 23, 2025
The volume of power purchase agreements signed in May has registered a low of 280MW, according to Swiss consultancy Pexapark.
June 16, 2025
Amazon plans to invest AU$20 billion to expand Australia’s data centre infrastructure, with utility-scale solar PV plants set to power these.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 22, 2025
Bilbao, Spain
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK