Renewable Energy

To meet the demand, progressives say there's untapped potential in solar and wind renewables, as battery technologies catch up and get less expensive. But conservatives want to rely on fuel sources they say are better suited to Ohio, like natural gas.

Last month, the Ohio Supreme Court heard an appeal of state approval for Harvey Solar, a proposed 350-megawatt solar project in Licking County.

Cincinnati's solar array has been powering both city operations and homes for half a year. The 100 megawatt solar farm in Highland County was completed in May.

Madison County Commissioners voted two to one to pursue legal counsel to appeal the Oak Run solar project to the Ohio Supreme Court.

The Ohio Power Siting Board approved Oak Run in Madison County after elected officials, advocacy groups and residents weighed in on the utility-scale solar power farm.

"Solar grazing," where sheep mow utility-scale solar farms, is one of the best researched forms of so-called "agrivoltaics."

National rankings put Ohio in the middle of the pack for solar energy, but some projections anticipate solar power growing rapidly in Ohio and the Midwest in the coming years.

Ohio is fourth in the nation for anticipated renewable energy development in 2023 — enough energy infrastructure will be installed to power close to one point five million homes, according to data from the Energy Information Administration.

Columbus has participated in the EcoSmart Choice program since 2013.

Several energy and utility questions are likely to come before the Ohio Supreme Court in the next two years, including cases involving coal plant subsidies, HB 6 corruption, and renewable energy project siting.