Assessing the Economic Impacts of Sustainable Energy: An Analysis of Ohio’s Community Solar Program

Tuyen Pham, Clara Bone and G. Jason Jolley ()
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Tuyen Pham: Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
Clara Bone: Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
G. Jason Jolley: Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 21, 1-17

Abstract: “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all” is one of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. A key target for achieving this goal is increasing the share of renewable energy. In the United States, many states are evaluating the environmental and economic impacts of the renewable energy transition. This study provides an in-depth evaluation of the economic impact of Ohio’s proposed Community Solar Pilot Program, which plans to install 1750 MW of new solar capacity, including 250 MW on distressed Appalachian sites. We combine two input–output models to estimate the economic impact of community solar projects: the Jobs and Economic Development Impact (JEDI) model from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for the construction phase, and IMPLAN for the projects’ 25-year lifespan. Data for this study were gathered through surveys of local solar developers, who are familiar with the regional costs of installing and operating solar projects. Our findings indicate that the community solar program could support 32,430 full-time job years and contribute USD 4.37 billion to Ohio’s Gross State Product (GSP). Additionally, the program could generate USD 409.5 million in local tax revenue over its lifetime. The study highlights the potential of renewable energy initiatives to foster economic growth, particularly in economically distressed regions like Appalachian Ohio.

Keywords: input–output; solar; IMPLAN; JEDI; renewable energy; sustainable development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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