SMALL WIND in
 OHIO 

This page provides information specific to buying and installing a small wind turbine in Ohio.

AWEA’s Web site also contains general information that is helpful regardless of which state you live in, including a Communications Toolbox for Wind Energy Advocates. You will find the information below more useful if you first read the general information available in the small turbine section.
Net Metering

Ohio has a consumer-friendly net metering law enacted as part of an electric utility restructuring bill. Enacted in 1999 by the state's General Assembly, Ohio's net metering rule requires investor-owned utilities to offer a net metering option to customer-generators who own qualifying systems. Qualifying systems include wind, solar, biomass, landfill gas, hydropower, fuel cells and micro-turbines, and must be intended primarily to offset part or all of the customer-generator's requirements for electricity. There is no cap on wind system size, but utilities are only required to offer net metering until the total generating capacity of all enrolled customer-generators equals 1% of the supplier’s aggregate customer peak demand in Ohio.  

FYI:
For general information about net metering, please read Net Metering - Frequently Asked Questions.

When the rule was enacted, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio ordered utilities to purchase excess generation from customers at a full retail rate. However, in June 2002, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled in favor of the utilities (Case No. 01-0573) that this exchange was unreasonable and illegal. As a result, each utility must purchase excess generation at its unbundled generation rate. If a customer’s bill shows credit amounts for three consecutive months, the customer can request a cash payment for the total accumulated credit.  

Utilities may not require the customer-generator to comply with any further safety and performance standards beyond the safety standards of the National Electrical Code, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and Underwriters Laboratories.

To learn how to connect to the utility companies system, see Electric Distributed Generation Equipment: How to Connect to the Utility Company's System. There also is a useful Net Metering Question and Answer resource for consumers.

For more information contact the Ohio Public Utilities Commission: (800) 686-7826.
 
 

Interconnection Standards 

As part of the state’s 1999 electric-utility restructuring law, the Ohio Public Utilities Commission (PUC) initiated a lengthy process to establish interconnection rules and procedures. The rules cover all distributed generation (DG) up to 300 kVA, with separate provisions for small systems up to 25 kW. These are accompanied by a screening document similar to California’s, which is a flow chart for the DG interconnection process. A sample application has also been developed by the PUC, but to apply for interconnection, system owners must use individual utility applications.  

Although the Ohio DG interconnection rules do not reference IEEE 1547 or IEEE 929, the requirements essentially mirror these two national standards. For small systems, utilities may require an external disconnect.  

Procedurally, the screening process establishes the criteria for systems that qualify for a Simplified Interconnection Agreement. A supplemental review is required where the system is larger than the 300-kW three-phase or 25-kW single-phase size limits, or the equipment has not been type-tested. Site commissioning tests may still be required in any event to insure that the system is connected properly and that the protective functions are working properly. Beyond the supplemental review, some systems will require a "System Impact and Facility Study" to ensure certain distribution feeder capacity limits are met. Utilities may collect fees to cover the costs of the application process as well as a refundable deposit if any studies are required to analyze the impact of the customer's equipment on the distribution wires system. Reference Technical Requirements for Interconnection and Parallel Operation of Distributed Generation for more information or contact Ohio Public Utilities Commission.

 

Local or State Incentive Programs for Wind Energy Investments

Residential Renewable Energy Grants

With funding from Ohio's Energy Loan Fund (ELF), the Ohio Office of Energy Efficiency is soliciting applications for grants to install renewable-energy projects at or on single-family or multi-family homes in the service territories of the state's five investor-owned electric distribution companies: American Electric Power (Columbus and Southern Power and Ohio Power); CINergy (Cincinnati Gas and Electric); Dayton Power and Light; First Energy (Cleveland Electric Illuminating, Ohio Edison, Toledo Edison); and Monongahela Power (Allegheny Power).  

Solar-electric (PV), solar thermal and wind projects located in Ohio are eligible for funding. PV projects will receive a maximum of $5.00/watt; wind projects will receive a maximum of $2.75/watt; and solar-thermal projects will receive a maximum of $5.00 per 100 BTU per day. Applications will be accepted beginning February 1, 2005, on a continuing basis. Awards will be made to qualifying projects until available funds are exhausted.  
 
 Applicants are encouraged to apply for an ELF-linked deposit to finance the balance of project costs. See the ELF program web site for more information on these incentives.

Contact:
Preston Boone
Ohio Department of Development
Office of Energy Efficiency
77 South High Street, 26th Floor
PO Box 1001
Columbus, OH 43216-1001
Phone: (614) 466-6797
Fax: (614) 466-1864
E-Mail: plboone@odod.state.oh.us
Web site: http://www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/oee/

Conversion Facilities Corporate Tax Exemption

A statute enacted in 1978 exempts certain equipment from property taxation, Ohio's sales and use tax, and Ohio's franchise tax where applicable. This incentive has had positive impacts in the promotion of renewable energy in Ohio. 

The exemption applies to tangible property used in energy conversion, thermal efficiency improvements and solid waste energy conversion. Generally, "conversion" refers to the replacement of fossil fuel sources of energy with alternative fuels or technologies. Eligible technologies include solar thermal systems, photovoltaic systems, wind, biomass and waste recovery systems. 

Upon receipt of certification from the tax commissioner, such property is exempt from Ohio's sales and use taxes. In addition, such equipment improvements cannot be considered an improvement on land for purposes of property taxation, and they are not considered in the assessment of Ohio's franchise tax. For more information contact the Ohio Department of Development.

Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Grants

The Ohio Office of Energy Efficiency is offering grants to cover a portion of the costs of eligible distributed energy resources (DER) projects located in the service territories of the state's five investor-owned electric distribution companies: American Electric Power (Columbus and Southern Power and Ohio Power); CINergy (Cincinnati Gas and Electric); Dayton Power and Light; First Energy (Cleveland Electric Illuminating, Ohio Edison, Toledo Edison); and Monongahela Power (Allegheny Power). Grants are supported by the Ohio Energy Loan Fund, and are available only to end-users of DER projects that include but are not limited to industrial heat recovery, combined heat and power, landfill or biomass methane for electric generation, solar-electric, and wind.  

Applicants from the commercial, industrial, institutional and local-government sectors are eligible for project funding. The maximum grant amount is $50,000 or 50% of the project cost. Cost share is required for all projects; the percentage of cost share depends on the technology type. All projects must be installed in Ohio, and all project components must be new. Projects must be completed by September 30, 2006.  
 
For more information, see the Request for Proposals (RFP) and the Ohio Department of Development.

Renewable Energy Loans

The Renewable Energy Financial Assistance Program is one of four loan programs funded by the Energy Loan Fund (ELF), established by the Ohio General Assembly under the state's 1999 electric restructuring act ( ORC § 4928.61 et seq.).

The renewable energy loan program reduces the interest rate – approximately by half – on standard bank loans for those qualifying Ohio residents and businesses who borrow money to implement energy efficiency or renewable energy projects. Approximately 11 banks currently participate in the program. Although the interest rate buy-down is available for five years, individual banks establish loan repayment terms on a case-by-case basis.  

Qualifying projects must be located in the service territory of one of the five participating electric distribution companies to be eligible for ELF financing. The five companies are: American Electric Power (Columbus and Southern Power and Ohio Power); CINergy (Cincinnati Gas and Electric); Dayton Power and Light; First Energy (Cleveland Electric Illuminating, Ohio Edison, Toledo Edison); and Monongahela Power (Allegheny Power).

Eligible projects include but are not limited to the purchase and installation of solar-electric (PV) energy, wind energy, biomass or bio-energy (from plants and trees or landfill methane), hydropower (from flowing water or existing dams) and fuel cells. For residential renewable energy projects, loans ranging from $500 to $25,000 are eligible for the subsidy. For commercial and institutional projects, loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000 are eligible. Industrial facilities are eligible if they qualify as "small businesses," as defined by the Small Business Administration.  

For more information regarding homes, contact Judy Pacifico; for questions regarding businesses and institutions, contact Carolyn Seward; both can be reached at ELF@odod.state.oh.us, or check the Ohio Department of Development website.

Utility Incentives

Bowling Green Municipal Utilities - Net Metering

Although Ohio's statewide net metering rule applies only to investor-owned utilities (see above), Bowling Green Municipal Utility (BGMU) offers net metering to its customers. A standard interconnection permit is available for wind, solar, hydro, fuel cells and micro generators up to 25 kW. Larger installations have site-specific requirements. The treatment of excess generation is negotiated with BGMU. There is no limit on overall enrollment. Generating facilities must comply with all IEEE, NEC and UL standards, as well as local requirements.  
 
For more information contact the City of Bowling Green Municipal Utilities.
Wind Resource Information

Prepared by AWS Truewind for the Ohio Department of Development, Office of Energy Efficiency, The Ohio Wind Resource Explorer (WRE) contains the newest interactive maps of mean annual wind speed at 30, 50, 70 and 100 meters above effective ground level. Additional maps show wind power density at 50 and 100 meters above effective ground level.

The US Department of Energy has produced wind resource maps for each state. The map for Ohio can be found here. You may also find the definitions of Wind Power Classes for the maps helpful.

The US Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network has also collected wind resource data for Ohio.

Useful information may also be found at the web site for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

Additional Resources

The Green Energy Ohio website is a great resource for all those looking into renewable energy in Ohio. From this website you can access the Ohio Wind Power Conference Toolkit. The toolkit has 500 pages of information on siting turbines, interconnection issues in Ohio, economics and incentives, choosing a turbine, finding an installer, and more. You can also access Ohio small wind case studies (or click here to download the pdf), a useful tool to learn about others’ experiences with installation and wind ownership.

The Department of Energy’s Wind Powering America website provides information including the downloadable “Small Wind Electric Systems: an Ohio Consumer’s Guide.”

The American Wind Energy Association provides a list of wind turbine manufacturers. For a list of wind turbine installers in your area, please contact the manufacturers.

The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and selected federal incentives that promote renewable energy. Another item of interest is the Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s web site on wind energy projects and wind energy events/news occurring through out the country.

Source Guides offer a list of renewable energy companies in each state. To see companies in Ohio, visit their website.
Utility Contacts

For more information on Ohio utilities and contacts visit the Ohio Utilities Protection services, http://www.oups.org/. Also visit the Public Utilities Commission.
Government Contacts

The US Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network maintains a list of state contacts.
Local Organizations Interested in Renewable Energy Issues

Ohio Wind Working Group

At its initial informational session, the Ohio Wind Working Group considered the status of wind power activity in Ohio, including an overview of regional, national and international commercial wind activity, and identified key economic, educational, and political barriers to fashion an Ohio Wind Power Development Strategic Plan. Visit Ohio Wind Working Group for documents and updates.

Green Energy Ohio

An organization dedicated to promote renewable energy throughout Ohio, Green Energy Ohio’s website provides a list of Ohio-specific wind events, Ohio incentives for renewable energy, information on buying green power, and much more. For more information visit, http://www.greenenergyohio.org

Ohio Air Quality Development Authority

The OAQDA can offer tax exemptions (sales and use tax, property tax, and corporate franchise tax) for renewable energy projects. While the majority of OAQDA projects come from business and institutional customers, residential applications are eligible and are cost-effective if the project is of substantial size. For more information visit their web site.
Feedback
Keeping an information database such as this one useful and up-to-date requires feedback from people using the site. If you have comments or ideas about how to improve this site, please contact: kathy_belyeu@awea.org  Be sure to mention not only your ideas, comments or criticisms, but also the specific URL (Web address) for the page.

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