Fairfield, Ohio is getting its first solar farm—the city’s first renewable energy project. The 1.5-megawatt large-scale utility solar project is being built next to city’s wastewater treatment plant and is expected to start generating electricity this summer, according to an article in the Journal-News. The 5-acre site is located between the Groh Lane wastewater treatment plant and the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League fields.

The $3.1 million project is estimated to produce 2 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually—the equivalent of powering 250 homes in Fairfield for 30 years. It aims to offset rising electricity prices and maintain stable sewer rates. 

The array will be comprised of 3,000 solar panels with all U.S.-made components. It will generate more than 65% of the wastewater treatment plant’s power usage, the largest electricity user among city-owned facilities.

“This … represents a significant step forward in our commitment to renewable energy and long-term financial stewardship,” said a caption on the city’s Instagram page.

The project is expected to deliver over $2.5 million in net lifetime savings, after capital costs are recovered.

Melink Solar, a solar energy company in Hamilton County, Ohio, is designing and installing the array.

Fairfield adopted its first sustainability plan in August 2024, with a goal of increasing local renewable energy operations by 2030.

Fairfield’s sustainability program manager, Gillian Hart, said the city is planning for more renewable projects, according to an article on WVXU. One is a similar solar project at the city’s water plant site, which is the next largest user of electricity by city facilities.