Ohio’s Lima floats 3,444 solar panels on Twin Lakes Reservoir to offset a water plant’s near-million-dollar power bill
Twin Lakes Reservoir on a calm summer morning appears pretty much like how it used to be — the reservoir shining under the light of the day, the noise of Lima’s water treatment plant getting louder from afar. But covering more than four acres of its surface, array upon array of dark blue solar panels quietly go about their business of converting sunlight to energy before dawn breaks on the city.
The city officials and project collaborators came together on August 12, 2026, at the reservoir for a “Flip the Switch” ceremony. The event was an occasion of significance, as this marked the achievement of a goal Lima had been pursuing for years — addressing an issue that was taking a toll on public funds without any solution in sight.
A reservoir with another role
From day one, Twin Lakes Reservoir had just one purpose – serving as storage space for water meant to be treated by Lima’s water treatment plant. Not anymore. Without having to clear any agricultural land, the project designers realized that the unused open surface of the reservoir was an energy resource waiting to be tapped.
It is critical to note that even as projects of this nature often revolve around environmental issues, the economic aspect is just as evident in Lima’s case.
It’s actually quite simple to understand the idea behind the floating solar power generation system. Solar panels will be installed on platforms similar to pontoons floating on the reservoir’s surface, which measures more than four acres. The water beneath continues doing its primary job.
The entire installation is comprised of 3,444 panels, producing up to 2 megawatts of energy. As explained by Stetson Tchividjian, Managing Director of D3Energy, “floating solar offers the opportunity to utilize available water surfaces for renewable energy production while preserving land for other uses.”
The bill that initiated everything
There was no pulling punches from Mayor Sharetta Smith in describing the situation at hand. The water treatment plant was Lima’s biggest consumer of electricity on an annual basis, with costs reaching close to $1 million per year.
When you think about how a water treatment facility operates, that number really begins to make a lot of sense. Pumps must continuously operate to move water through the filtration process. There is continuous chemical dosing, ultraviolet light treatment, and constant maintenance of water pressure in the system. The meter is constantly spinning 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year long.
The cost of utility bills in the millions is not something any mid-sized city in Ohio can simply write off. The only issue then is not whether action should be taken but rather whether a practical solution even exists. It turns out that a nearby reservoir was the answer.
The vision and creation of the power plant
Such projects are not initiated based on an individual having a bright idea. MSI Utilities was hired for energy strategy by Lima’s city government; D3Energy provided project development services; and installation services were provided by Gary Easton and his company ARP Solar, who filled in the gap left by other organizations.
The approach to funding was similar: the city decided to spend around $2 million from its budget, alongside another $2.5 million in grant funding, in order to make the investment reasonable but complete nevertheless, according to MSI Utilities.
According to Ray Eversole, Principal Energy Strategy at MSI Utilities, “The City of Lima recognized an opportunity to turn an existing water surface into an energy resource and create value for the community.” Turning recognition into reality took several years of hard work, permits, and cooperation; the “Flip the Switch” event held on August 12, 2026, was the time when all of it paid off.
Dollars saved, decades of impact
This anticipated savings is substantial. In the estimated life span of 15 to 20 years, the system would yield savings of around $10 million for the City of Lima in electricity expenses – almost five times the cost of the entire project.
“Projects like Twin Lakes prove that sustainability and fiscally sound management are not mutually exclusive,” says Tom Williamson, president of MSI Utilities. It is critical to note that even as projects of this nature often revolve around environmental issues, the economic aspect is just as evident in Lima’s case.
It is important to emphasize that cities do not necessarily have to sacrifice one for the other. The model implemented in Lima, which utilizes existing resources and grants, as well as financing by the city, can easily be replicated.
Ohio’s quiet floating-solar movement
Lima isn’t the first Ohio community to try this. MSI Utilities previously worked with D3Energy and Del-Co Water on what became Ohio’s first floating solar array, and that earlier project helped establish the playbook Lima followed.
Floating solar is gaining quiet momentum across the Midwest for practical reasons: land costs are rising, agricultural preservation is a genuine concern, and many municipalities already manage water bodies that sit largely unused as energy assets. Floating panels can also reduce water evaporation and help suppress algae growth — co-benefits that come at no additional cost.
Other Ohio communities facing similar utility pressures are watching. Lima’s Twin Lakes project gives them something concrete to point to: a real city, a real bill, and a real solution already generating power. The next “Flip the Switch” ceremony somewhere in Ohio may not be far off.
Kelly is an experienced writer with 15 years of experience exploring the big stories that shape our world, from tech breakthroughs and space exploration to climate, energy, and the fascinating quirks of science. She has a talent for turning complex ideas into sharp, memorable insights that stay with readers long after they’ve finished reading.
