Register Today for this complimentary virtual session by October 21st!
Thursday,October 22, 2020 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Complimentary Virtual Session
Understanding the Economic Impacts of Community Solar in Cleveland, Ohio
This virtual session is complimentary for all 2020 OEDA Annual Summit attendees but registration is required.
As the global energy transition continues to unfold given the emerging threats of climate change and the opportunities of rapidly declining technology costs, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have been one of the fastest growing approaches to producing clean and renewable electricity. One potentially intriguing approach is community solar, an innovative strategy that allows multiple consumers to share the benefits and costs of ownership in an off-site solar PV facility, enhancing market access to renters, low-to-moderate income households, and many other populations. However, community solar is only formally permitted in 16 U.S. states plus D.C. via enabling legislation, with Ohio not being one of those states. Fortunately, electric utilities, nonprofits, and other organizations have figured out ways to deploy community solar in states without facilitative policy mechanisms, such as through crowdfunding, group billing, or other advanced program design. This presentation details the results of a multi-perspective research report recently completed that investigates policies and program guidelines to promote community solar programs in Ohio that achieve racial and economic equity. As part of this process, using a blended approach with JEDI and IMPLAN software, we calculated the potential economic impacts of two different sized projects, one at 10 megawatts (MW), and the other at 50 MW. We find that these project sizes would generate total economic impacts to the Cleveland area of $21 million and $95 million, respectively, nearly twice the upfront construction costs. Our findings also suggest that aggregate construction and operations phase impacts would support 123 and 554 total jobs in the region.
Presenters Will Include:
Registration is required.
Click HERE to save your spot.
This webinar qualifies as an OEDI Elective, 1 hour of continuing education credit for candidates pursuing the Ohio Certified Economic Development credential.