Solar panels offer financial benefits to Ohio communities

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- More and more central Ohio communities are wrestling with whether to allow solar projects.  

NBC4 Investigates has covered concerns some residents have in Knox County, worrying about losing farmland, while others are concerned about the impact on the quality of life. 

Now, NBC4 is looking into how these projects could mean more money for schools.

Renewable energy companies can pay a lump sum to local governments instead of paying property taxes. Some worry it isn’t enough money, so we’re investigating what’s being paid. 

If the Frasier solar project in Knox County is approved, the project will produce enough energy to power the equivalent of 14,000 homes for a year.  

"I began thinking, which way do I want things to go?" Debbie Wells, who lives across from the proposed project, said.  

Wells has lived across from the proposed site near Mount Vernon for more than 30 years, and it isn’t the first big project proposed across from her front yard.  

"Shortly after I built the house, I started hearing things from my neighbors about an ethanol plant wanting to come in," Wells said. 

That plant didn’t happen; then she heard about the solar project. 

"It was like déjà vu about 32 years later," Wells said.  

This time, she supports the idea. She expects something to come, and she’d rather look at panels than a housing complex. 

"Being that, it was something that I was going to be opening up my blinds and seeing every day. It was very important to me," Wells said. 

She also supports the benefit it could bring to Mount Vernon schools, as does a district teacher, who said the money could pay for more staff. 

"There's only 24 hours in the day and when I have 160 kids that I have to grade and plan and try to differentiate for with no active co-teacher or support in my classroom, it's challenging," Mount Vernon High School teacher Scott Patterson said. 

Solar projects across the state are participating in payment in lieu of taxes, or PILOT, programs. This allows renewable energy companies to pay fixed annual payments to local governments instead of paying property taxes. 

"It's a nice supplement and it allows us to move forward with, as I said, equipment and supplies that we maybe would hesitate or delay getting based on budgets," Vantage Career Center Superintendent Rick Turner said.  

This program is underway in Paulding County, where Turner is. In fiscal year 2024, the Wayne Trace School District received $1.8 million from the PILOT program.  

"This income is not sustainable to replace state and local funding,” Turner said. “It is, however, a benefit to the schools and in other ways.” 

Knox County Project could generate nearly half a million dollars a year for Mount Vernon City Schools. Those with Frasier Solar say it would bring in $42.8 million to the county as a whole over the span of 40 years.

The Mount Vernon school district isn’t taking a side. In a statement, Mount Vernon City Schools Superintendent said: "Because it has become politically divisive with varying viewpoints throughout the community, we have remained neutral on this issue from a district perspective.  We have a potential bond issue in the fall for new and renovated buildings so we have taken the position of letting the process take its course, and we would be supportive of the final decision.  If additional funds were to be provided through this process, we earmark a significant portion towards STEM and College and Career pathway support." 

Opponents argue the project takes prime farmland out of use and could hurt quality of life. The next step is for the Ohio Power Siting board to approve or reject the project; the next meeting will be in mid-May.