Invenergy has broken ground on the 240-megawatt Pleasant Prairie Solar Energy Center in Franklin County, Ohio, marking a $230 million investment in the state’s renewable energy sector, the company said on Thursday.
Located in Galloway, west of Columbus, the project is expected to generate up to 300 construction jobs and employ three full-time staff once operational in early 2027.
“Pleasant Prairie represents our commitment to meet growing demand with domestic energy and strengthen U.S. energy independence,” said Mick Baird, chief development officer at Invenergy.
The facility will use solar panels produced by Illuminate USA, a Pataskala-based manufacturer majority-owned by Invenergy. These panels are also being installed at the company’s Hardin III and Cadence solar projects elsewhere in Ohio.
“High-quality solar manufacturing is thriving in Ohio,” said Brittany Rogers, chief human resources officer at Illuminate USA. “We’re proud that panels made by our associates will help power local communities.”
The project has also partnered with Ohio State University’s Battelle Center to support education and workforce development in the clean energy sector.
Invenergy held a groundbreaking ceremony on June 10, featuring remarks from company executives, project landowner Squire Galbreath, and representatives from Illuminate USA. A community reception followed at the nearby Darby House.
Pleasant Prairie is part of Invenergy’s broader investment in Ohio, where the company has developed more than 1 gigawatt (GW) of solar capacity—enough to supply electricity to nearly 200,000 homes.
