Village officials waiting on news of lawsuit

MINSTER — A lawsuit filed by Enpower Solar against an Auglaize County village could be headed for a summary judgement — at least, that’s what Minster Village Administrator Don Harrod is hoping for as their legal team prepares documents to file in U.S. District Court in Toledo.

The Alabama-based solar company is seeking $10.5 million in damages, which the company believes they are due when a contract to build a solar field within the village limits failed to come to fruition.

The dispute originated in 2020 when Enpower didn’t disclose financial documents to Minster officials by a required deadline. Company officials disputed the need to provide documentation, and the solar field was instead built by Etri Foundry.

“It’s been a long process,” Village Administrator Don Harrod said. “They’re saying we didn’t have the ability to terminate (the contract).”

Harrod said there were no penalties in the contract for its dissolution.

Whether the complaint goes to trial will depend on the judge. If held, a trial is anticipated to begin in early summer.

However, Harrod is ready for the case to be over.

“Hopefully it will end here soon,” Harrod said.