By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The new solar project proposed by the City of Bowling Green got a step closer to soaking up rays and generating power for city electric customers Monday evening.
Bowling Green City Council heard one reading of a proposed ordinance authorizing development of the solar project.
Over the past two years, the city has been evaluating the feasibility of developing a locally sited solar photovoltaic generation project. The project is anticipated to be approximately 10-12 megawatts in size and operate as part of the city’s overall energy portfolio.
The solar generation is expected to complement existing energy supply resources and provide strategic benefits, particularly in managing system peak demand and reducing transmission and capacity costs.
The project also provides an opportunity to replace energy previously supplied by the JV6 wind turbine project, which accounted for approximately 4.0 MW of wind capacity prior to its retirement last year.
Last month, the BG Board of Public Utilities voted to authorize Utilities Director Brian O’Connell to lease approximately 80 acres and select a solar development partner for the project which will operate behind the meter for the city. That means all the 10 to 12 MW of electricity generated on the acreage will go to Bowling Green – powering an estimated 2,000 households in the city.
The utilities board voted more than two years ago to authorize the city to pursue another solar field site, in addition to the 165-acre solar field on Carter Road that generates 20 MW, which the city shares with other communities.
Initially, city officials planned a possible solar field on acreage the city already owned near the county landfill. However, that plan fell apart when Plain Township officials passed an ordinance banning solar fields, explained Jim Odneal, the city’s assistant utilities director.
So the search began again, and this time some local partners voiced interest in leasing farmland to the city for the project.
Those partners are Bowling Green State University, which plans to lease 50 to 60 acres for a solar field southwest of the Newton Road dead end at Interstate 75, and an affiliate of Principle Business Enterprises, which plans to lease 20 acres at the southeast corner of Devil’s Hole Road and I-75.
These properties are strategically located adjacent to the city’s electric distribution system, which helps minimize interconnection complexity and associated costs, Odneal said.
BGSU and Principle Business Enterprises will continue to own the land. The developer will own and operate the solar arrays, which will be purchased locally from First Solar. And the City of Bowling Green will buy all the power generated at the two fields. The cost is expected to range between 5 cents and 7 cents per kilowatt hour, Odneal said.
The new solar project is expected to help in managing system peak demand and reducing transmission and capacity costs, Odneal explained. And it is intended to replace the renewable energy previously supplied by the wind turbines, which accounted for approximately 4 MW of wind capacity prior to their retirement.
Construction is anticipated to occur in the fourth quarter of 2026, with a target in-service date in spring 2027.
City officials have worked with American Municipal Power, which helped facilitate discussions with experienced solar developers and provided preliminary market information. In addition, the city also engaged in discussions with a local solar developer to compare development approaches and validate indicative pricing.
Also at Monday’s meeting, council heard the first and second readings of an ordinance authorizing an agreement with Bowling Green State University for exterior painting of the Carter Park water tower.
Funding has been appropriated in the 2026 water and sewer capital improvement fund budget for the painting of two city water towers – the one at Carter Park and the western water tower located near Mitchell and Sand Ridge roads.
Both of these water towers currently have “Bowling Green” and “Home of BGSU” on the faces of the tanks, and discussions have been held on continuing the collaboration. While BGSU officials are interested in branding on the Carter Park tower, they are no longer interested in the same for the western water tower.
Under the agreement negotiated, BGSU will pay the painting costs for the logo, ongoing logo maintenance, and an annual fee at the Carter Park tower.
The western tower will be painted similarly to the Newton Road water tower, with “Bowling Green” and “1833” on it.
Council has been asked to pass the legislation at its May 4 meeting and adopt an emergency clause so the project can be bid and painting may be completed this year.
In other business, City Council heard the first reading of a resolution authorizing consent for work on the Napoleon Road bridge deck over Interstate 75. In the spring and summer of 2027, the Ohio Department of Transportation plans a project that will result in the overpass being closed for an estimated 90 days.
There is no cost to the city for the ODOT project, but due to the location, the city was requested to pass legislation agreeing to the work.
ODOT expects to award the contract later this year, and between that time and construction, the city will have an opportunity to discuss detours and impacts, and share those with the public.
