Local solar array generating a lot more than power
TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) — If your travels take you along northbound I-75, you may have noticed the solar array at the Overland Industrial Park. And the site it’s doing a lot more than harnessing power from the sun.
The solar array not only generates power for the nearby Dana facility, it’s also had a significant environmental impact.
According to the Greater Toledo Community Foundation, the array currently eliminates 1,400 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually, which is equivalent to taking 327 cars off the road each year. And that’s just the beginning of the story.
The array first came online in the summer of 2020. It’s helped create investment in neighborhoods through the work of grassroots organizations. It all starts with Dana buying the power to use at its facility in the industrial park.
“The proceeds of that power go into an endowed fund at the Greater Toledo Community Foundation. The foundation then grants the money back out. This year, we gave $75,000 to six organizations. We call it creative, innovative philanthropy. So getting unlikely partners together from public, private and business sectors to think about solutions we need as a community,” Kate Sommerfeld, the president and CEO of GTCF, said.
Creativity is also part of the project on another level. The array is lined with sculptures done by students at the Toledo School for the Arts.
Another component of the project is a prairie that covers several acres. Dr. Ryan Walsh is the director of plant conservation at the Toledo Zoo.
“Prairies are great because they have very low maintenance costs, they bring in a ton of environmental benefits and they bring in nature like monarchs,” Dr. Walsh said.
Dr. Walsh said the prairie was seeded this past winter, and it will take several years to see the full effects of that work.
Dozens of species were planted.
“We put in as many species as we can. They adapt to the areas where they go. There will be a lot of diversity in that prairie,” Dr. Walsh said.
And the zoo will maintain the prairie.
“It doesn’t take as much maintenance as you might think. Compared to turf grass, there is 20 times or more less maintenance and there are great environmental benefits so it’s a win-win,” Dr. Walsh said.
Sommerfeld said this is truly a project planting many different seeds that will grow throughout our community.
“A wide variety of projects rooted in community, and it’s only because of the power of partners coming together to think about creative, unlikely solutions,” Sommerfeld said.
Toledo Day Nursery, Habitat for Humanity and Girls on the Run are among the charities that received money from the array this year. Charities are chosen each year.
There are so many layers to this project. Other partners include Metroparks Toledo, Toledo Public Schools and Washington Local Schools.
The Toledo Zoo has produced a documentary-style video about the project. If you’d like to watch it or learn more about the array, click here.
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