Arche Solar
PROJECT SUMMARY
Arche Solar is a 134 AC MW (107 DC MW) solar farm on privately owned land in Gorham Township, Fulton, County, Ohio. The project will produce locally generated, solar-powered electricity into the Ohio bulk power transmission system, furthering Ohio’s energy security and reducing carbon emissions.
Construction of Arche Solar began in October 2022, and the project is expected to reach commercial operation in early 2024. The project is creating about 200 construction jobs and hundreds of US jobs across the supply chain, while supporting domestic manufacturers and low carbon products. Construction will include instillation of ultra-low carbon solar panels and smart solar trackers from U.S. based manufacturers First Solar and Nextracker, respectively.
Arche Solar will provide a stable, long term economic benefit to the Fayette area. The Fayette Local School District, Gorham Township and Fulton County will benefit from increased tax revenues paid throughout the project life. Arche Solar will provide $32 million in revenue to benefit local schools and other public services, without raising taxes to local families. It will deliver a predictable and steady $802,500 per year to the Fayette area. Host communities typically experience increased economic activity for local businesses and opportunities for new jobs – with the largest direct impact on employment during the construction phase.
The energy generated at Arche Solar will deliver power to the existing East Fayette substation, located adjacent to the existing 138-kilovolt (kV) transmission line. Arche Solar is expected to generate approximately 220,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity each year, reducing carbon emissions by 156,000 metric tons every year.
View the project map.
SCHEDULE
Acquisition of land and land rights began in the first quarter of 2019 and continued through the second quarter of 2020. During this time, meetings were held, and outreach was conducted to landowners and community leaders throughout the project vicinity.
A public information meeting was held to facilitate public interaction with the Arche Energy Project (the applicant) and expert consultants.
Additional design work was completed in the fourth quarter of 2021. Construction of the project began in October 2022, and is expected to reach commercial operation in early 2024.
Go to the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) page for more information.
bp’s ambition is to become a net zero company by 2050 or sooner, and to help the world get to net zero. bp is America’s largest energy investor since 2005, investing more than $125 billion in the economy and supporting more than 125,000 additional jobs through its business activities. For more information on bp in the United States, visit www.bp.com/us.
bp is the long-term owner of the project and our 50:50 joint venture partner, Lightsource bp will develop the project. Lightsource bp is a global leader in solar development with a successful 10-year track record of development and long-term management of solar projects.