Solar for Ohio Communities

[irishbobcat]

Solar for Ohio Communities
Cities can help homeowners buy panels
Ohio might not be the first state that comes to mind when you think of solar power. But solar panels don't need scorching heat to work well. The world's largest solar energy producers are Germany and Japan—neither nearly as sunny as Ohio.

Not only do we have the potential to be a clean energy leader, we can also put thousands of Ohioans back to work installing solar panels on rooftops.

Solar Cities
Ohio's state lawmakers just made it a lot easier for homeowners to take advantage of solar energy. In July, Gov. Strickland signed a bill into law which allows cities and townships to help homeowners finance solar panels. The program removes the burdensome upfront cost of the solar panels by allowing homeowners to pay off their solar panels over time through their property taxes. 

Homeowners who participate will reduce their energy bills and their individual contributions to global warming, while becoming more energy independent.

Who's first?
Environment Ohio helped build support for creating the solar option, but now we need cities to take the next step and implement the program.

The city of Athens was a key driver in creating the solar program and is first in line to take advantage of the new law.
Environment Ohio will be reaching out to homeowners in other cities across the state, starting in Columbus, to show the City Council and Mayor Coleman the overwhelming support for implementing the solar homes program.

K-12 schools in line, too
A proposal that would require the largest K-12 schools in Ohio to go solar has received a bipartisan vote of support in the Alternative Energy Committee. "Putting solar panels on schools is a no-brainer," said Rep. Louis Blessing, Jr. (Cincinnati). "This bill will boost our economy by putting Ohioans back to work installing solar panels on schools while also making us more energy independent."

The bill will be considered by the full House in the fall, and we'll work to see it over the finish line.
We'll see if Ohio lawmakers wake up and get the message!
Dennis Spisak
Mahoning Valley Green Party
Ohio Green Party
www.ohiogreens.org
www.votespisak.org/thinkgreen/