Gov. Ted Strickland, along with U.S. Congressman Zack Space, announced the creation of the Transformative Solar Array to be developed in Ohio. Spain's leading solar manufacturers will build the Ohio production facilities, creating 600 Jobs.

Strickland today announced agreements to create Turning Point Solar, a 49.9 MW solar array to be built on strip-mined land adjacent to The Wilds nature conservancy. At signing ceremonies in the governor's cabinet room, American Electric Power CEO Michael G. Morris signed a memorandum of understanding with project developers New Harvest Ventures and Agile Energy to enter into a 20-year purchase agreement for the facility's power.

Pending approval of incentives to be provided by state and local governments, two prominent Spanish solar power component manufacturers, Prius Energy S.L. and Isofoton, have agreed to open new manufacturing facilities in Ohio to help construct the 239,400 panel solar array. If operating today, Turning Point would be the largest photovoltaic solar array in the United States.

Approximately 300 jobs will be needed to build the project at peak construction. In addition, Prius and Isofoton have agreed to locate their North American operations in Ohio, creating more than 300 permanent manufacturing jobs.