Ohio Solar Power Rebates, Tax Credits, and Incentives

Write Brothers in Ohio State Picture

Solar Legislator Score:

Update 4/5/08 : “The Governor of Ohio, Ted Strickland, has ended the Residential renewable energy grant, which has virtually pulled the rug out from under us. The cost of Solar/Wind is prohibitive without a rebate. We are concentrating our efforts to commercial businesses, farms and small rural businesses for now.”   I will update this state page soon.  I am very busy.

On August 29, 2007, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland announced his Energy, Jobs and Progress Plan, an initiative which includes an “Advanced Energy Portfolio Standard” requiring at least 25 percent of the electricity sold in Ohio to be generated from renewable and advanced energy technologies by 2025. No less than half of that energy will come from renewable sources, including biomass, wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, and hydro power. Unfortunately, there were no specific numbers allocated to solar power sources.
State Bill 221 is working its way through the state’s legislative system; the Senate’s version of the bill was unveiled on October 26, 2007, and seems to be moving closer to becoming state law. There is good news favoring the bill’s passage from a commissioned analysis by ICF International released in July 2007. The study concludes that requiring Ohio utility companies to meet the new standards (which are similar to those in neighboring Pennsylvania) will result in a negligible increase in wholesale electrical prices.
STATE INCENTIVE PROGRAMS, UTILITY REBATES, UTILITY LOANS, AND UTILITY INCENTIVES
Since 1978, the Ohio Department of Development has offered 100% property and sales tax exemptions to businesses who utilize solar and other renewable energy technologies. Through a grant program described at http://www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/oee/elfgrant.htm, the ODOD subsidizes Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Photovoltaics, and a variety of other alternative energy solutions for just about every type of user, including residential. Awards can be up to $3.50 per watt with a maximum grant award of $25,000 per residence. Incentive funds are limited, and a number of conditions apply, including the requirement that service must be provided by one of the four following investor-owned utilities: American Electric Power, Duke Energy, Dayton Power & Light, and First Energy. Detailed information on Energy Loan Fund (ELF) grants is available here.
For more information and news about developments in solar power and other renewable energy sources in Ohio, check out this EERE database and/or Green Energy Ohio.
CONSENSUS

Ohio’s pending Advanced Energy Portfolio Standard is a move in the right direction to reducing the state’s dependency on fossil fuels, but of little direct benefit to homeowners. The primary incentive for residential conversion to renewable energy sources will be the state’s Energy Loan Fund (ELF) grants, which can provide a significant benefit to homeowners planning solar installations – up to $25,000. Wouldn’t it be nice, though, if owners of solar-powered residences were rewarded with property tax relief? This and sales tax relief have been available to businesses for decades.

Click here to have multiple solar installers bid to upgrade your Ohio home or business.

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15 comments.

barb adkins
Comment on June 22nd, 2008.

looking to be a test home for solar or wind turbine energy

don sendelbach
Comment on June 25th, 2008.

Live in the Akron . Canton area. Would like my home to be used as a demo / test home for solar power

Scott Klausing
Comment on July 18th, 2008.

Located in southern van wert county, residential 5 acre site with good average wind according to maps. Looking to be demo/test home for wind turbine power.

Lois Hinrichs
Comment on July 18th, 2008.

For Scott:
I found this information on the Web: There’s a Northwest Ohio Green Energy Workshop on Monday, July 21, at the Toledo Zoo. This website has details:
http://www.greenenergyohio.org/page.cfm?pageId=3

Comment on July 18th, 2008.

Thanks for the info Lois!

Josh Maas
Comment on July 29th, 2008.

I am in the process of buying a small home on the lake and would like to make it fully solar powered and need some info on who I can talk to about grants if any as well as a complany that can install

Sandy Owens
Comment on July 29th, 2008.

My husband and I are interested in learning more about converting our home to solar power. We are willing to offer our home as a site for a workshop/demo. We are in the greater Clevleand area.

Jennifer
Comment on August 2nd, 2008.

I also am looking for more detailed information on solar power. Our home/roof get wonderful sun all day. We think it would be very beneficial, but are concerned with cost, details, etc.

Carrie
Comment on August 6th, 2008.

My husband and I live in Dayton would love to be a demo home or get info on solar power for our home.

kathy
Comment on August 13th, 2008.

Renovating a lake front A-frame in Stark Co., Ohio. We have to install new furnace & water heater so we will demo down to the studs in most areas for new plumbing & wiring. We are planning to use ADA design in many areas to meet my husbands medical needs. I could use any help & information you could give me. I think this house would make a great test/demo project. Thank you

angee
Comment on August 14th, 2008.

I have moved to the country and have discovered that my electric is more expensive. People in my same zip code are
spending less. I need a better sorce of energy. My heat is desil and firewood. I have a pond and 9 acers I thought geo themal might be a way to go. I just need some help to make this home more efficent. send info please

Jessica
Comment on August 20th, 2008.

We live in a Historic home in Downtown Dayton where the Wright Brothers were born. Our home is located within a National Historic Park. We are interested in converting our home to solar panels and maybe some wind turbines. If you are looking for a demo we would be thrilled to be chosen.

Comment on September 17th, 2008.

in the next year We are looking to remodel our home I’ve speent countless hours looking for products on the solar level and wind power I’ve seen numerous shows on tv and mutipule info on the net but nothig with the latest solor technology if im spending money i want the best avalable not out dated systems I’m in the construction industry and am appauled at the avalability of technologythat is avalable I know we should be able to buy matireals and install them without an assanine price tag would greatly appreciate any info thank you

Comment on September 18th, 2008.

Jeff, solar technology has not changed that much in the last 50 years. About half a century has passed and we’ve only doubled efficiency. On the other hand there are people who have had systems installed in the 60s who are still generating electricity, and are laughing all the way to the bank at the people who wait and wait and wait.

The reason the technology is not available is not the fault of contractors, it’s because it’s not available at all. It’s still in lab and the outrageous claims about price and output will often fall short.

PV panels work and will last for decades. Get some now and start saving energy costs today. No new whizbang stuff is going to drastically change the game in 5 years, and thinfilm doesn’t work on small residential applications at the moment.

JIM HENRY
Comment on October 7th, 2008.

I would love to be involved! I face direct south and want to use it the right way. A lot of people say it won’t work , but I know it will.

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