FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MSI Utilities Celebrates Completion of Landmark Twin Lakes Floating Solar Project in Lima
Dublin, Ohio — September 1, 2026 — MSI Utilities is proud to celebrate the successful completion and operation of the City of Lima’s Twin Lakes Floating Solar Project, an innovative clean-energy initiative demonstrating how municipalities can reduce energy costs while advancing sustainability and making strategic use of existing infrastructure.
Located on Twin Lakes Reservoir adjacent to the City of Lima’s Water Treatment Plant, the floating solar installation features approximately 3,444 solar panels with a total generating capacity of 2 megawatts across more than four acres of water. The project provides clean electricity to help offset the significant energy demands of the water treatment facility while preserving valuable land for other community priorities.
“Along with energy efficiency comes valuable land savings, whether for future real estate development or farmland,” said Stetson Tchividjian, Managing Director of D3Energy. “Floating solar gives communities, the opportunity to generate renewable energy while making productive use of water surfaces and preserving land for other important uses.”
A Collaborative Approach to Municipal Energy
The Twin Lakes project is a strong example of what can be accomplished when a community brings together experienced partners with a shared vision. The City of Lima and its leadership team ultimately made the project happen, working collaboratively with MSI Utilities, D3Energy, ARP Solar and other project partners to move the initiative from concept to reality.
MSI Utilities served as a key partner in bringing the project together, working alongside the City of Lima and D3Energy to advance the project through planning, funding, construction and operation.
“This project represents what can happen when a community, technology partners and energy professionals come together around a shared vision,” said Ray Eversole, Principal Energy Strategy, MSI Utilities. “The City of Lima recognized an opportunity to turn an existing water surface into an energy asset while creating long-term value for the community. MSI Utilities is proud to have played a role in helping bring that vision to reality.”
ARP Solar, led by Gary Easton, completed the installation of the floating solar array, bringing the project from planning and development into operation. The successful completion reflects the contributions of each member of the project team and the City of Lima’s commitment to seeing the project through.
Significant Energy and Financial Benefits
The project is expected to provide substantial long-term energy savings for the City of Lima. According to Lima Utilities Director Mike Caprella, the City invested approximately $2 million and received approximately $2.5 million in grant funding for the solar array. The project is expected to generate approximately $10 million in electricity savings over its estimated 15- to 20-year lifespan.
The financial opportunity is particularly significant given the energy demands of the City’s water treatment operations. Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith noted that the Water Treatment Plant had previously been one of the City’s largest energy consumers, with annual electricity costs approaching $1 million.
“Projects like Twin Lakes demonstrate that sustainability and fiscal responsibility can work hand in hand,” said Tom Williamson, President of MSI Utilities. “For municipalities facing significant energy costs, floating solar can provide an innovative way to use existing infrastructure and available water surfaces to generate renewable energy without requiring additional land. Lima is setting an excellent example for communities throughout Ohio and beyond.”
The project also demonstrates the potential for municipalities to approach energy planning from a broader perspective—looking not only at renewable generation, but also at opportunities to reduce operating costs, preserve land and make strategic use of existing public infrastructure.
Amazing Team Effort
The City of Lima officially celebrated completion of the project during its “Flip the Switch” ceremony on August 12, 2026. The event recognized the collaboration among the City, MSI Utilities, D3Energy, ARP Solar and other project partners that made the installation possible.
For MSI Utilities, the project represents more than the completion of a solar installation. It demonstrates the value of bringing together municipal leadership, energy strategy, innovative technology and experienced installation partners to address real-world energy challenges.
“The City of Lima and its team deserve tremendous credit for bringing this project together,” said Williamson. “It was a great team effort from start to finish. The City had the vision and commitment to make it happen, and the partners came together to provide the expertise and resources needed to turn that vision into a working renewable-energy asset.”
The Twin Lakes project builds on MSI Utilities’ growing experience with innovative energy solutions in Ohio. MSI previously collaborated with D3Energy and Del-Co Water on Ohio’s first floating solar array and continues to support projects designed to deliver measurable economic, operational and environmental benefits.
“MSI Utilities believes the future of energy is about finding smarter ways to serve customers and communities,” said Williamson. “The Lima project is a great example of that philosophy, combining innovative technology, strategic partnerships and sound economics to create infrastructure that can provide value for years to come.”
About MSI Utilities
MSI Utilities helps commercial, industrial and municipal customers develop strategic energy solutions that manage costs, improve efficiency and support long-term energy goals. Through energy strategy, innovative technologies and strategic partnerships, MSI Utilities works with organizations to identify opportunities that deliver measurable economic and operational value.