Ohio Cities Emerge As 'Builders' In Solar Energy Use

CLEVELAND, OH – While Ohio is not on the cutting of solar energy adoption and consumption, the state's three biggest cities – Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati – are emerging as "solar builders," according to an advocacy organization.

Environment Maryland, a citizen-based advocacy project of Environment America, this week released the report, “Shining Cites: How Smart Local Policies Are Expanding Solar Power in America.” In the report, the organization finds that the United States now has more than 53 gigawatts of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity installed, which could keep the lights on for more than 10 million homes, according to the report.

That's enough to power one in 14 American homes. And, that’s also 26 times more capacity than in 2010. Twenty cities accounted for more than 4 percent of the country’s total installed PV capacity, the report said. Geographically, those cities represent just 0.1 percent of America’s total landmass.

Los Angeles was tops in the nation with a total solar PV installed capacity of 349.3 megawatts. The only East Coast city to crack the top 10 was New York. The total number includes all solar PV capacity, meaning rooftop and utility-scale solar panels, within the city limits.

Honolulu ranked first with 606.4 watts of solar PV installed per person.

Cities, such as Los Angeles and Honolulu, as well as Indianapolis, Phoenix, New Orleans and others, have won the designation as "solar stars" by the organization for their adoption and implementation of solar energy.

Every “Solar Star” city has seen major gains in solar power, the organization said, and is setting a precedent for other states. Five years ago, just eight cities surveyed had enough solar PV per person to be designated a “Solar Star.” Now, 18 have earned the title.

Thirteen cities earned the distinction of “Solar Leader,” 24 cities were named “Solar Builders” and 13 were named “Solar Beginners.” Leaders have 25 to 50 watts of solar PV per person, while builders have 5 to 25 watts per person and beginners have less than 5 watts per person.

The three Ohio cities are not among the Top 20 for their per-capita capacity for solar power, however they have 5 to 25 watts per person of electric power generated via solar energy. Cincinnati has 20.1 PV capacity, Cleveland has 8.9, and Columbus has 6.2.

Among the cities across the nation, Cincinnati was ranked 37th, Cleveland 48th and Columbus 52nd for their per capita capacity solar energy.

The organization says America’s major cities have played a vital role in what it called the clean energy revolution, and stands to reap “tremendous benefits” from solar energy.

“Solar power can allow cities to curb emissions that contribute to global warming, become more resilient to severe weather, help residents stabilize their energy bills, and improve public health through reduced air pollution,” the report said.

The group recommended four steps that local government officials could take, including in the cities of Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland, to move toward an economy completely powered by renewable energy sources. They are:

1. Pass local solar access laws that protect peoples’ rights to generate solar energy on their property.
2. Simplify the permitting, zoning and inspection process, and make it faster and more affordable.
3. Give apartment renters access to solar energy, as well as low-income residents, small businesses and nonprofits. This could be accomplished via low-interest financing programs, power purchase deals, collective buying programs and community solar projects.
4. Advocate for stronger state-level solar policies, particularly by joining efforts with other communities.

Some cities have proven to be a model for others in adopting solar power, the report said. The key difference between them is that some cities lack effective public policy.

“State and local policies are core ingredients of a successful solar market,” the authors wrote. “Cities where solar homeowners are paid a fair price for the energy they supply to the grid, where installing solar panels is easy and hasslefree, where there are attractive options for solar financing, and where there has been a strong commitment to support solar energy development, are cities where solar energy is taking off.”

Click here to read the full report.

Patch reporter Dan Hampton contributed to this report.
Image via Shutterstock