How an entire Columbus neighborhood is getting free solar panels

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus has set its sights on a historic part of town to become the city's first neighborhood with net-zero emissions, and the project could lower electric bills for its residents.

American Addition is one of the oldest African American communities in Columbus, dating to May 1898. Soon, it could become the first neighborhood in the city to completely eliminate emissions, reducing its carbon footprint and dependence on nonrenewable energy sources.

A solar plant, solar panels, efficient insulation, and smart design are among the changes to minimize the neighborhood's energy waste, according to IMPACT Community Action Director of Climate Justice Initiatives Katie Devlin. Residents of American Addition will also be provided with information and education on how to reduce their overall energy usage.

"We're trying to strike a balance between the amount of energy that buildings in the neighborhood are producing, and then using energy efficiency mechanisms to offset that energy, and ultimately, those emissions," Devlin said.

While some Columbus residents are facing their largest electric bills in the decade, this project could actually lower costs for American Addition residents. Devlin said that the installation of solar panels and batteries will come at no cost to the homeowners, and that residents could expect to pay less for their electricity.

"Depending on the home’s utility provider, most homes are AEP, the cost of the bill will depend on how much energy their solar panel produces," Devlin said. "But we are confident that the majority of residents will see a decrease on their electric bill with the installation of solar panels."

Columbus was recently selected as one of 25 U.S. cities to join Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities, a three-year initiative leveraging federal funding to implement local solutions that build low-carbon, resilient, and economically thriving communities. Because of its participation in the initiative, the city will receive an innovation team with up to three dedicated staff members, a multi-year, in-depth, customized policy, and technical assistance.

Assistant Director of Sustainable Columbus Erin Beck said the American Addition project was a major reason for the city's inclusion on the list. She said they worked closely with IMPACT Community Action to be awarded the funding.

"A big part of our application that we worked with IMPACT and the community on was that we really wanted to use these supports to help support the American Addition neighborhood, and a commitment to creating a net-zero neighborhood and working collaboratively toward that," Beck said.

While a plan is clearly already in place to reach the net-zero goal, Beck said there will still be some trial and error.

"What is this going to look like? I think all of us still aren't entirely sure what this might look like," Beck said. "We're on a journey together to figure out what is going to work best for American Addition."

Lisa Ghee-Brown, Community Advocate for IMPACT and American Addition resident, said her family has lived in the neighborhood for generations. She said members of the community are eager to see the changes coming with the project.

"They're happy, they're waiting, they're no-nonsense people because they're an older generation and they tell you exactly what they feel," Ghee-Brown said. "They're happy that they're getting some help with their homes, because it's a couple of families out there still buying oil to heat their homes. So, they're patiently waiting."

American Addition isn't the only solar project coming to central Ohio, the Ohio Power Siting Board recently approved a much larger, 800-megawatt solar-powered generating facility to be built in Madison County.