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Bill requires solar panels on 1,000 school buildings
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
COLUMBUS — Lawmakers plan to introduce legislation next week that would require Ohio schools to install rooftop solar panels as a way to cut their electric bills and boost the state's green energy industry.
There are 5,000 to 6,000 school buildings in Ohio. The bill would require 25 percent of them to have solar panels, unless a district makes a good case that it's too costly, said state Rep. Lou Blessing, R-Cincinnati.
A bank or financing company would buy and install the solar panels and then benefit from a 35 percent federal tax credit. School districts would then use money saved on their electric bill to pay the panel owner over 30 years.
"Our schools can have a dual purpose of educating future generations about cleaner energy resources, and producing energy for their own school and the community," Blessing said.
State law already requires new and renovated schools to be "solar ready" so that their rooftops can accommodate solar panels.
About 50 schools in Ohio now have small scale solar arrays.
Environment Ohio released a study Tuesday, March 24, that showed Ohio is home to more than 440 businesses and research institutions in solar, wind, biomass, geothermal and fuel cell industries.
Environment Ohio called on state leaders to expand and increase the Ohio Advanced Energy Fund, which provides grants and loans for renewable energy projects, to support the solar schools bill, and to push the Public Utilities Commission to pass rules as soon as possible on Ohio's new renewable energy law.
Contact this reporter at (614)224-1624 or lbischoff@DaytonDailyNews.com.
