Bringing Solar to Appalachia

The southern tip of the state of Ohio, which shares its border with both Kentucky and West Virginia, is part of the Appalachian Region – which ranges across 206,000 miles and 13 U.S. states. Historically, this region has often been associated with the production of fossil fuels, which has largely defined economies in Appalachian states for about a century. The future for Ohio and the broader Appalachia region, however, is clean energy — and the residents of Willow Wood in Lawrence County are turning to community-based solar to strengthen their local economy and build resiliency into the fabric of their community.

This year, Sunwealth and our development partner, Ohio-based TMI Energy Solutions, developed a set of solar projects for the Symmes Valley Local School District, which serves the residents and students of Willow Wood. The two projects – one on the Symmes Valley High School and Symmes Valley Elementary School – brings 286 kW of solar power to the school district, enabling them to power their classrooms with reliable clean energy. The project will deliver $179,000 in lifetime energy savings to the district, as well as reduce over 6,800 metric tons of carbon emissions, and create nearly ten lifetime solar jobs.

For Symmes Valley and the broader Appalachian region, community-based solar provides an opportunity to create a new energy legacy, one that creates a more sustainable and prosperous future for communities and the planet.