Davey Resource Group Helps Liberty Utilities Co. Stay Within Ohio State Regulation Through Vegetation Planting

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.

Liberty Utilities Co. is working towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050, adding over 1,600 megawatts of renewable power, including solar. In 2023, Davey Resource Group (DRG) planted 21,750 linear feet of vegetation around new solar farms in Ohio.

A Commitment To Renewable Energy Generation

Liberty Utilities Co., a subsidiary of Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp., is participating in increasingly popular sustainability efforts by committing to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. As part of this initiative, Liberty Utilities Co. has added over 1,600 megawatts of renewable power sources to their operations, including solar. In 2023, Liberty Utilities Co. began construction on two adjacent solar farm sites in Highland County, OH. State regulations required the sites to use vegetation screenings to shield the panels and provide natural wildlife habitats. To ensure they complied with the regulations, Algonquin called on Davey Resource Group, Inc. (DRG) to plant, maintain, and monitor the vegetation screen.

In April 2023, multiple Davey divisions collaborated to plant 21,750 linear feet of vegetation around the solar fields. The Davey Nursery provided the trees and shrubs planted by DRG, while Davey’s local commercial landscaping offices watered the plantings as needed. The planting included a mix of conifer and deciduous trees, shrubs, and pollinators. Over four months, DRG planted 4,000 trees and shrubs and 2,200 containerized pollinator plants.

Complying With State Requirements

DRG continually monitors and maintains the site to ensure the vegetation has survived and replants any vegetation that has failed to keep the solar farm compliant with state regulations. DRG will plant an additional 3,500 linear feet of buffer areas around the same solar fields in spring 2024. The vegetation beautifies the solar fields and provides natural wildlife habitat and erosion control. Construction of the new solar fields is ongoing and expected to help the nearby City of Cincinnati save over $1.7 million in energy costs over 20 years.

Davey Resource Group planted conifers and deciduous trees as a buffer for Liberty Utilities Co. solar farm.

Davey Resource Group planted over 20,000 linear feet of vegetation around the solar fields in Highland County, OH.

Davey Resource Group continually monitors and maintains the site to ensure the vegetation has survived and replants as needed.

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