Solar power drives change in Ohio’s disadvantaged areas

Farah Siddiqi

Ohio's most vulnerable communities are set to benefit from more than $312 million in federal funding aimed at reducing energy costs and promoting environmental justice.

The money is part of the $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, part of the Inflation Reduction Act. Two Ohio organizations, the Ohio Office of Budget and Management State Accounting and Growth Opportunity Partners, were each awarded $156 million to develop solar energy programs for low-income households.

Shalanda H. Baker, vice provost for sustainability and climate action at the University of Michigan, said the funding will be used to address access disparities in marginalized communities.

"Over half of Black households in America experience energy insecurity, and around 47% of Latinx households experiences energy insecurity," Baker pointed out. "We also know that there are many Native American households that simply lack access to electricity altogether."

The Ohio Office of Budget and Management plans to use its portion of the funding to help low-and moderate-income households access solar energy, improving air quality and saving money. Renters and homeowners are eligible to participate.

Growth Opportunity Partners will work with the Industrial Heartland Solar Coalition to facilitate job training and installing residential rooftop solar panels. Baker added the program aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address public health issues related to fossil fuel pollution.

"This program is really designed to bring more access to clean energy to those communities," Baker noted. "And just bring more clean energy on the grid, to overall clean up."

The Solar for All program is expected to help Ohio households save up to 20% on their energy bills.