The benefits of solar home energy are many: It’s better for the planet; it can increase property value; and perhaps most appealingly, it can drastically reduce or even eliminate monthly household electric bills.
Cincinnati currently leads Ohio in solar installations and regional leaders are taking steps to keep it that way, thanks to a partnership between the City of Cincinnati and the Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance.
Solarize Cincy, created in response to increasing demand and decreasing installation cost, is helping make solar power a realistic — and affordable — option for families throughout Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Residents who take advantage of the program prior to June 30 can receive assistance with out-of-pocket installation costs.
Through the Solarize Cincy program and tax credits, residents can go solar for around $8,000 and meet most of their electricity needs without a monthly bill. Solar panel production has also evolved; panels have become sleeker, more durable and customizable to unique roofs.
“With competitive pricing and federal tax incentives, this is a golden opportunity for anyone thinking about going solar,” says city sustainability coordinator Ollie Kroner.
The GCEA is a nonprofit development agency that promotes investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy throughout the region. The organization provides education, project management and innovative financing solutions, with more than $40 million in projects completed. The GCEA, as part of the National Energy Alliance, receives funding from local foundations and governments, including the U.S. Department of Energy.
“The program was a huge success with residents last year,” says GCEA CEO Jerry Schmits. “This year, we’ve put together an even more compelling program. Through Solarize Cincy, we are looking to keep Cincinnati number one in Ohio for solar installations.”
For more information, visit SolarizeCincy.org or call 513-621-4232, ext. 2.
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