Editor's Note:
This is the second part in a 3-part series aimed at getting the public's questions about a possible solar field coming to Ashland County. Part III will publish tomorrow, Aug. 22.
ASHLAND — The public has a lot of questions about the possibility of a commercial solar array coming to Ashland County.
During Ginny Telego’s address to the Ashland County commissioners on Aug. 3, she presented several questions. Some were better suited for the commissioners, others were better posed to CEP Renewables.
CEP Renewables LLC, headquartered in Red Bank, New Jersey, was incorporated in May 2020. The company focuses on building solar arrays on brownfields, or land that is abandoned or underutilized due to pollution from industrial use.
The company has built solar arrays on former industrial sites in North America, Asia and Europe — including a site in Brooklyn, Ohio.
Below is a transcript of an interview with Kurt Princic, CEP’s senior project development manager. Before joining CEP in January, Princic worked as a district chief of the Ohio EPA for 12 years.
Q&A with Kurt Princic
Ashland Source: Where does CEP Renewables get the revenue to pay Ashland County for the use of the land? Does the company receive grants and governmental subsidies? Does CEP guarantee the provision of those funds over the 20-year lease with the county?
Princic: Revenue would be generated through energy production to First Energy’s distribution grid. We would be obligated to make the payments per the lease agreement. Like any other renewable energy project, we would be eligible for IRA subsidies.
To be clear, there is no agreement between CEP and Ashland County at this time. It is my understanding the County Commissioners are still evaluating whether to pursue this project.
‘IRA subsidy’ explained: The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in 2022, directs $250 billion toward clean energy production in the form of tax incentives, grants and loan guarantees.
https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-sector/our-insights/the-inflation-reduction-act-heres-whats-in-it
AS: Who, if anyone, oversees the installation of the solar panels to ensure minimal impact to the existing ecosystem?
Princic: Installation is performed by an engineering, procurement and construction contractor who has expertise in the development of solar arrays on landfills. The site would also be subject to potential inspections by Ohio EPA and the Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District.
AS: Who will receive the electricity generated from any solar panels installed at the landfill?
Princic: The energy would likely be distributed to homes and businesses in the community who would be interested in participating in a community solar program.
AS: How will the electricity be transmitted from the panels to a substation?
Princic: With approval from the local electrical utility company, CEP would utilize a three-phase distribution line to transmit the electricity to the substation if necessary.
AS: Will the panels cause any potential health concerns to families who are visiting the adjoining park (Byers Woods) or residents living nearby?
Princic: There are no known health concerns with the solar panels.
AS: What happens if CEP Renewables goes bankrupt before the 20-year lease is up? Who is responsible for the maintenance or removal of the panels if that happens?
Princic: Although bankruptcy is incredibly unlikely due to the AAA credit rating of the energy offtake and a potential Fortune 500 partner, CEP will put assurances in place to mitigate a bankruptcy event.
AS: During the March presentation, you reached out to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to find out how to best approach tackling the project with the presence of the bobolink bird. Have you heard back from them? If so, what is their response?
Princic: I was able to make contact with Cornell University. In addition, CEP also reached out to other experts who have worked on CEP projects on the East Coast. Should this project proceed, CEP intends to respond to the questions from the community regarding potential impacts of placing a solar development on the landfill.
AS: What happens in the event of damage to the solar panels due to natural disasters? For example, hail damage that results in the total or partial loss of panels. Would CEP be responsible for the disposal and/or repair?
Princic: The panels are designed to withstand hail damage. Regardless, CEP will be insured to address any issues resulting from natural disasters.