The Ohio Power Siting Board on May 16 authorized the construction of Hecate Energy Highland LLC’s 300-megawatt solar project, as well as Hardin Solar Energy II LLC’s 170-megawatt facility paired with a 60-megawatt battery.

Hecate’s project will occupy nearly 2,000 acres within a 3,400-acre project area in Highland County. The developer plans to begin construction later this year, targeting an in-service date by the first quarter of 2021.

Hardin also plans to start building the solar-battery project this year anticipating commercial operations as early as 2020. The project will be sited on about 3,300 acres of leased land. Last February, regulators approved a 150-megawatt solar farm proposed by Hardin Solar Energy LLC.

Hardin is a subsidiary of Invenergy LLC.