Powering Ohio’s Growth: Utility-Scale Solar as a Solution
Ohio faces a pressing need for more generation capacity—and fast. As Steve Stivers, president and CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, reinforced in a recent Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) press conference, “We know we have to have a reliable electric grid if we’re going to attract and retain new businesses. Right now, one of the biggest issues that we’re starting to hear in economic development is literally not (having) enough electric generation.”
As the state works to secure its energy future, deploying utility-scale solar stands out as one of the most affordable and expedient solutions. With its rapid deployability and cost-effectiveness, utility-scale solar offers a key opportunity to ensure that Ohio’s grid can meet the energy demands of a growing economy and keep the state open for business.
Increasing the state’s generation capacity is not just a technical necessity—it is an economic opportunity. At the state level, utility-scale solar projects advance overall economic prosperity through investments in opportunities for skilled trades and increased tax revenue. Locally, the projects significantly benefit host communities, particularly through job creation and increased revenue that can go toward local priorities.
The press conference highlighted the significant impact a single project—in this case, Grange Solar—can deliver to a host community. The proposed 500-megawatt project in Logan County is expected to generate $500 million in investment and create 1,150 jobs during construction, amounting to $70.7 million in direct labor income. Local businesses—from restaurants to gas stations to hotels—would see a notable boost with the influx of workers to the area, further strengthening the local economy.
Once operational, Grange Solar would provide 16 to 19 full-time jobs, with an estimated annual labor income of nearly $642,000. It is also expected to generate $200 million in local revenue over its 40-year lifespan, $5 million per year, and notably more than 85 times the revenue currently generated by the existing land use at the project site. For Ohio’s communities, the revenue from projects like Grange Solar can be transformative. The local school district, for example, stands to receive $96 million over the project’s lifetime.
As Stivers stated plainly, “We have to have a reliable energy grid. We have to have affordable energy. We need to be making Ohio-based energy.” Utility-scale solar projects can contribute to all of the above, playing a crucial role in Ohio’s economic future by ensuring an affordable, reliable energy supply that drives economic growth and strengthens communities. It’s a win-win for the state and its residents.