ROSS COUNTY, OH — June 11, 2025
Geronimo Power has officially launched operations at its Ross County Solar and Fayette Solar projects, bringing a combined $73 million in projected economic impact over the next 20 years to Ross, Fayette, and Highland counties. The projects, while welcomed by some local leaders and landowners, are opening amid growing pushback across Ohio over the rapid expansion of utility-scale solar energy developments.
With Ohio’s energy landscape shifting, the 120-megawatt (MW) Ross Solar and 47.5 MW Fayette Solar projects mark a significant addition to Geronimo’s growing footprint in the state — which now includes five projects totaling over 675 MW. But the solar boom has also brought controversy, as some rural communities express concern over land use, aesthetics, and long-term impacts.
“The addition of Ross and Fayette to our Ohio operating portfolio brings our collective projected economic impact to more than $160 million,” said Blake Nixon, President and CEO of Geronimo Power. “We’re proud of the footprint we’ve built here, and we want to thank the state of Ohio for its support — even as we recognize there are ongoing conversations about solar development.”
Balancing Benefits and Backlash
The projects are expected to generate $29.5 million in new tax revenue, supporting local schools, emergency services, and county budgets. Geronimo has also committed $670,000 in charitable funding over 20 years to be managed by the Chillicothe-Ross Community Foundation and The Greenfield Foundation. These initiatives aim to demonstrate tangible community benefits — a key point as companies work to win over skeptical residents and policymakers.
Despite these contributions, resistance to solar projects has grown in parts of Ohio. Several townships have enacted local zoning bans or moratoriums, citing fears over declining property values, loss of farmland, and a lack of local input in state permitting decisions. The state’s Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) continues to face scrutiny for what critics say is a top-down approach to approving projects without adequate community consent.
Arguements on enviromental hazards when it comes to fire and chemicals used in panels have also been contributing arguements to local fights.
Environmental Goals vs. Local Control
Geronimo and other solar developers argue that utility-scale solar is essential to meeting clean energy goals, reducing emissions, and replacing aging fossil fuel infrastructure. According to the U.S. EPA, the Ross and Fayette projects will offset 4.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide over two decades — the equivalent of removing nearly 1 million vehicles from the road for a year.
At the same time, Ohio lawmakers have proposed legislation to give counties and townships more authority to veto solar and wind projects, potentially slowing development.
“There’s a balance we’re trying to strike between respecting landowner rights and maintaining local control,” said a state legislator during recent committee hearings on renewable siting. “We want clean energy, but we don’t want to steamroll communities.”
Solar Festival and Public Outreach
In an effort to engage the community, Geronimo hosted a “Solar Harvest Festival” last fall, featuring local vendors and a guided tour of the Ross County Solar project. The company emphasized transparency and education, highlighting the economic and environmental benefits of solar energy.
Still, for many in Ohio, the solar debate isn’t just about the environment — it’s about identity, land use, and the pace of change in rural America.
