Arche Solar | 134MW in Ohio
About the Arche solar project
The 134-megawatt Arche Solar is in full commercial operation in Gorham Township, Ohio.
This privately funded renewable energy project began construction in October 2022, and the project reached commercial operation in January 2024. Arche Solar operates with ultra-low carbon solar panels and smart solar trackers from US-based manufacturers First Solar and Nextracker, respectively.
Arche Solar delivers renewable energy to Meta under a power purchase agreement. Additionally, Arche Solar is projected to generate enough energy to power the equivalent of 20,700 homes, while creating tangible benefits for the local community and environment.
Arche Solar created more than 200 well-paying construction jobs, with more than 80% in-state, local labor.
Over its lifetime, Arche Solar will provide $32 million in new revenue to benefit Fayette Local School District, local libraries, community health resources and other public services.
134MWdc
/107MWac of home-grown renewable energy
156,000 metric tons
carbon emissions abated each year
200
jobs created during construction, supporting local labor and supply chains
80% +
in-state, local labor hired during construction
$32 million
in new revenue to benefit public services over the project's lifetime
Site Selection & Preliminary Design
Stakeholder outreach
Permitting & environmental studies
Land management & biodiversity planning
Final engineering, financing & construction
Operation & maintenance
Decommissioning & recycling
How solar farms work
Solar farms add energy to the local electric grid, just like other electric power plants. Rows of solar panels produce the electricity, which flows through the grid to power places like homes, businesses, schools and hospitals.
Solar panels are mounted on structures called racking. Racking sits on posts that raise the panels above the ground, on posts that take up less than 5% of the land. With significant open space under the panels, in the rows and in buffer areas to plant site-specific grasses and other vegetation, we set a goal of increasing biodiversity in the first 5 years of operation. We also integrate agriculture where practical.
The racking is equipped with smart solar trackers that slowly and quietly rotate throughout the day, following the sun to maximize solar energy production. These smart trackers serve other important purposes, too: they help protect solar panels from hailstorms, high winds and buildup of snow on solar panels.
Community dialogue – we want to be a good neighbor
Lightsource bp is dedicated to supporting communities that are home to our solar projects across America. That’s why we have an entire Community Relations team that works closely with our neighbors to maximize the positive social impacts of our projects
To connect with a Community Relations Manager please email USCommunityRelations@lightsourcebp.com.
Making a local impact
A solar farm is so much more than energy production. It can boost biodiversity on the land. It can provide new tax revenue to your community. It’s a new, year-round type of harvest for your neighbor farmers that helps them keep their land for future generations.
Long-term benefits
In addition to generating renewable energy for Ohio, home-grown solar has several additional long-term benefits, including:
- Rest and regeneration of the land during the project’s life, improving soil health and preserving it for future use.
- Healthy groundcover under and around the panels to support local biodiversity, creating a stable home for plants, pollinators, birds and other wildlife.
- Pollinator-friendly vegetation planted under and around the solar panels, with 2.5 acres of pollinator garden outside the array. Lightsource bp partners with a local beekeeper to host beehives on-site for commercial honey production.
- Sheep grazing on site, managed by an Ohio family-owned grazing business.
- Rural resilience through continued local ownership of the land with long-term lease payments.
- Energy security and independence.
Best practices for solar operations
Lightsource bp has a deep commitment to delivering safe and affordable renewable energy, as well as maximizing the environmental sustainability and positive social impacts of our solar projects. We are intentional with every detail—from the fencing we choose to the vegetation we plant. We want our solar projects to be great additions to the local community.
- Planted a customized seed mix under and around the solar panels to increase biodiversity and improve soil health.
- Planted trees and other vegetation between the solar project and public view where needed for screening.
- Designed setbacks from nearby property lines and public roads.
- Installed an agricultural game style fence, consistent with the local aesthetic of the area, around the solar project as opposed to industry-standard chain link fencing.
- Commitment to recycling all solar panels.
Researching the benefits of pollinator conservation at Bellflower Solar
Habitat enhancement in Indiana
Information and resources
We’ve put together a collection of resources for anyone who’d like to know more about utility-scale solar energy.
Solar farm FAQs
We’ve put together a list of the most commonly asked questions, and their answers.
Solar energy basics
National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL)
Lightsource bp educational materials
Solar panel safety and recycling
Get in touch
If you’d like to find out more about this project, email USCommunityRelations@lightsourcebp.com, call (628) 529-4069 or fill out the form below. We aim to get back to you within five working days.
If you are a member of the media, please visit our Press Center.
Explore our other Ohio solar projects
Archive: White Trillium Solar
50 MW
Van Wert County, Ohio
Energy partner: not yet announced
