Powering Ohio's future with solar energy.

Ohio faces growing electricity demand from data centers and AI facilities, and the Ohio House has passed a bill to expand community energy programs that is now under consideration in the Senate.

Ohio is at an energy crossroads as electricity demand rises from data centers, AI facilities, and a growing central Ohio population. The state must weigh how to meet that demand while seeking greater energy independence and keeping bills manageable for working families. The article argues that expanding solar capacity and local supply chains can strengthen the grid and support job growth. Authors point to existing Ohio manufacturing that supplies solar racking and components. Key facts: - A study showed data centers and related facilities contribute around 95,000 jobs and $11.8 billion to Ohio's economy. - More than 26,000 Ohio families have invested in solar, and Solar United Neighbors has helped hundreds transition through statewide bulk purchase programs. - Ohio's clean-energy workforce is reported as over 100,000 jobs with 268 companies operating in the state's solar supply chain. - The article cites Terrasmart as a solar racking manufacturer that works with 14 Ohio-based suppliers and employs more than 250 people in the Cincinnati area. - The Ohio House passed a bill to expand community energy programs, which is now in the Ohio Senate, and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is expected to determine how to share costs for powering data centers. Summary: The article presents expanded solar deployment and community energy programs as ways to add local generation, reduce peak demand on the grid, and support Ohio manufacturing and jobs as data-center demand grows. Next steps noted include Senate consideration of the community energy bill and an upcoming decision by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio on cost allocation for data-center power.