×

Welcome

Continue
Energy Tech Tips Community
×

ohio renewable energy

Ohio produces most of its electricity from coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy sources. The Buckeye State hasn’t been quick to adopt renewable energy, but that might be about to change. The Ohio renewable energy portfolio standard requires that retail electricity providers in the state switch to at least 12% renewable sources by 2026.

The Ohio electricity market was deregulated in 2001, which means that residents can choose their electricity supplier. Your local utility is still responsible for sourcing and distributing electricity to every home in your area. However, you can decide which supplier will set your electricity prices. Whether you’re in Columbus, Cincinnati, or Cleveland, you have the power to choose your electricity supplier.

 

Ohio Electricity Prices

Ohio has a deregulated electricity market, where customers can choose their electricity supplier and often access lower electricity prices. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average retail price of electricity for Ohio residents in December 2016 was 12.11¢ per kWh, just below the average U.S. residential electricity price of 12.21¢ per kWh.

Ohio Electricity Prices

Ohio Residential electricity prices have risen more than 31% over the past 10 years. This trend has led to higher electricity bills for Ohio residents, motivating many to switch to renewable energy (i.e. go solar) to save money.

 

Ohio Energy Mix

Net Electricity Generation By Source:

Ohio Energy Mix

Source: Energy Information Administration, 2016

Ohio produces more than 10 times as much electricity from natural gas as it did 10 years ago. Over same period, electricity production from coal has fallen about 48%.

 

Ohio Energy Sector Employment

According to the Clean Jobs Ohio report, more than 14,000 Ohioans work in renewable energy. Solar energy provides more jobs than any other type of clean energy in Ohio, employing over 4,800 people. Some of the biggest energy companies in Ohio are FirstEnergy, American Electric Power (AEP), and Direct Energy.

Fun fact: more Americans are employed by renewable energy than coal, oil, and gas combined, despite wind and solar energy only making up 5% of the total U.S. energy mix. According to a study from the University of California, Berkeley, solar energy creates over 7 times more jobs than coal or oil per MWh produced. The employment estimates for wind power differ from source to source, but most agree that it also produces more jobs than fossil fuels. 

 

Ohio Utility Companies

Previously in Ohio, the local utility companies controlled the entire flow of electricity from production to distribution. However, the Ohio energy market has been “deregulated,” meaning that some elements of the service, such as electricity prices, are set by other companies. Some of the largest utility companies in Ohio are:

ohio_renewable_energy


Duke Energy Ohio

• Serves approximately 840,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Ohio and Kentucky
• Headquartered in Cincinnati, OH


American Electric Power (AEP)

• Serves 1.5 million Ohio residents
• Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio
• Produces about 60% of their electricity from coal


Ohio Edison

• Serves more than 913,000 Ohio residents
• Headquartered in Akron, Ohio
• Produces about 30% of their electricity from coal

 

Arcadia's Ohio Renewable Energy Services


With Arcadia’s clean energy offerings, homeowners and renters across the state can now sign up to reduce their impact, be more energy efficient, and save on their energy bills while keeping their same utility company. Here are three programs currently available to Ohio residents:


Wind Energy

As an Ohio utility customer, you can reduce your impact by matching your home’s electricity usage with renewable energy certificates from wind farms. You can sign up for our 50% Wind Energy plan for free, and begin service with your next utility bill. All you need is your local utility login to link up with Arcadia’s platform and start supporting wind farms each month at no extra cost to you.

ohio wind power

Learn more about how it works >


Community Solar

We offer a community solar-savings program to homeowners and renters in Ohio. No matter where you live, you can subscribe to community solar projects across the country and start saving on your utility bill each month. There aren’t any installations, site visits, or equipment necessary, and if you move, your savings will even move with you.

ohio solar energy

See our projects and check availability in your area >


Zero-down Energy Efficient Products

Our pay-as-you-save energy program enables Ohio utility customers to access energy efficient products for $0 down. We will offer LED light bulbs, Wiser Air Smart Thermostats, and other home energy products to help you be more efficient and save on your utility bills. As an Arcadia customer, you can simply pay for your efficient products over time using the energy savings you’ll start seeing each month.

smart thermostat

Learn more and reserve your Smart Thermostat today >

 

 

Sources:
http://www.eia.gov/state/?sid=OH#tabs-4
http://www.seia.org/state-solar-policy/ohio
http://www.cleanjobsohio.org/
https://www.duke-energy.com/home
https://www.aepohio.com/

https://www.firstenergycorp.com/content/customer/ohio_edison.html