HILLSBORO, Ohio — Rising electricity demand tied to the growth of data centers is accelerating solar development in Ohio, prompting residents and officials in Liberty Township to debate how large-scale projects could reshape farmland, property values and the local economy.
The U.S. Department of Energy reports that energy demand is increasing, driven in part by the expanding number of data centers. Ohio has about 200 data centers, many clustered in the central part of the state. As demand grows, energy companies are seeking new generation sources, often turning to farmland in rural counties for solar installations.
In Highland County, township trustees recently passed a resolution aimed at making it more difficult for solar contractors to build locally…