Solar Powers a Stronger Ohio

As of 2022, the solar power industry provides nearly 7,500 jobs for hardworking Ohioans across the state. Those jobs are expected to grow by 9.2% in 2023

The solar power industry has driven $2 billion worth of investments in Ohio.

Solar power provides Ohio farmers and landowners a reliable source of income while agrivoltaic practices help improve efficiency, maximize land use, and increase crop productivity. Farmers across the state and nationwide have made hundreds of thousands of dollars by working with solar companies and leasing their land for new solar projects. Converting land to a solar farm could help generate around $1,200 to $1,500 per acre per year.

Solar power projects increase tax revenue for Ohio communities, helping support local schools, infrastructure, and other community needs—which is particularly beneficial in our economically challenged, rural regions. The Canal Road Solar Project, for example, will provide local government agencies with $32 million and private capital investment worth $94.6 million over the project’s lifetime.   

The price of solar energy in Ohio has fallen by 43% over the last decade, making it more affordable for families and businesses across the Buckeye State. State and federal tax credits, incentives, and other rebates make installing solar energy cheaper than ever before. Today, solar power is the cheapest source of electricity in history.

Too many Ohio families and businesses have experienced the hardship of power outages due to extreme weather. The increasing frequency of thunderstorms and winter storms will only continue to further threaten the livelihoods of families and business across Ohio.  Solar power has helped millions of Ohio homes and businesses keep their lights on during extreme weather, providing a more reliable energy source day or night, rain or shine.

Ohio residents can save up to $1,000 a year on energy bills with solar panels; installing an average solar system in Ohio produces $20,080 in savings over 20 years.  With the increased savings from lowered electricity bills and additional incentives, such as payment plans and financing, local stipends, net metering, and solar energy system property tax exclusion, solar power systems installed in Ohio homes can be paid back in as little as 16 years. 

In 2023, Ohio ranked 22^nd in the nation for installed solar, with enough capacity to power over 176,000 Ohio homes, having jumped 10 spots since 2022. Over the next five years, Ohio is adding over 7,788 MW of new projects and thousands of jobs, helping grow our in-state solar capabilities and economy.

Del-Co Water, a central Ohio water utility, is partnering to build Ohio’s first floating solar project. Once complete, the project will help the local utility offset nearly 50% of its electricity consumption and save roughly $400,000 annually.

Ohio is on the forefront of solar panel installment on schools. School districts in Ohio that have switched to solar are saving millions of dollars—some districts cutting their utility costs by 25% after installing solar systems to power their schools.