Northeast Ohio Communities Leading Solar Energy Push

NORTHEAST OHIO – Several Northeast Ohio communities are embracing solar energy initiatives, positioning the region as a leader in renewable energy adoption.

Cleveland and Akron have been selected to participate in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ American Sustainable Cities initiative, a three-year, $200 million program helping cities access federal climate funds. Both cities are collaborating with nonprofits Solar United Neighbors and Power a Clean Future Ohio on a campaign to help residents sign up for solar panel tax credits available through the Inflation Reduction Act.

Cleveland previously committed to achieving 100% clean and renewable energy by 2050. The city also offers a Property Tax Exemption for solar installations, ensuring homeowners who install solar panels don’t face increased property taxes from the added home value.

Meanwhile, Beachwood and Pepper Pike have independently launched solar-powered streetlight pilot programs in residential areas. These initiatives represent steps toward environmental sustainability for these communities and demonstrate growing interest in renewable energy technologies across the region.

Growth Opportunities Partners, a Cleveland-based organization, received a grant to install approximately 29,000 solar rooftop units on low-income households across the Midwest, including in Cleveland and Akron, at no cost to residents.

The solar initiatives align with broader trends in Ohio’s energy landscape. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, in 2023 the state’s solar capacity grew by 1,230% year-over-year, placing Ohio in the top ten solar states for the first time in more than a decade.

This regional push comes as Northeast Ohio positions itself as a player in the clean technology sector. Clean tech made up the largest category of startups in the region, representing more than $150 million in investment in 2022. From 2021 to 2022, the region saw venture capital deployment in the clean tech sector double, even as national trends showed declines in the venture market.

As more communities in Northeast Ohio embrace renewable energy, the region is demonstrating how urban and suburban areas can work toward sustainability goals through practical implementation of solar technologies.