Invenergy has begun commercial operations at the 250-megawatt (MW) Hardin III Solar Energy Center in Ohio, marking its third utility-scale solar installation in Hardin County, the company said on Wednesday.
The project is majority-owned by WEC Energy Group, while Microsoft has entered into a power purchase agreement (PPA) to buy the facility’s electricity and associated renewable energy credits.
“Hardin III Solar is the culmination of a decade-long collaboration with Hardin County and the local community,” said Michael Kaplan, senior vice president of development at Invenergy.
The solar facility is expected to deliver approximately $180 million in local investment over its lifetime and supported more than 350 construction jobs during development. The project will create four permanent roles for ongoing operations and maintenance, which will be overseen by Invenergy Services under a long-term agreement.
The project features solar panels manufactured by Illuminate USA, an Ohio-based company majority-owned by Invenergy. According to the developer, Illuminate has produced more than nine million solar panels since 2023 and has contributed to the creation of over 1,500 jobs in the state.
Hardin III adds to Invenergy’s growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the Midwest, aligning with rising corporate demand for clean power and state-level efforts to support local economic development through energy infrastructure.
