Solar permitting — Madison County, Ohio

Setbacks & buffers

OPSB standard per OAC 4906-4-09(G)(4): at least 50 ft from NON-PARTICIPATING parcel boundaries; at least 300 ft from non-participating residences existing as of the application filing date; at least 150 ft from the EDGE OF PAVEMENT of any state, county or township road within or adjacent to the project area — NOTE: the distances above are a STATE-level fallback, not a figure read from this county's own ordinance. We hold siting-rule records for this county which may include a stricter local limit we have not yet extracted. Verify against the county's own ordinance before relying on these.

Spacing requirements

None codified.

Size restrictions

None codified; managed via CUP/SUP conditions

Penalties & bonding

Total penalty: +27 (Moratorium +22; Denial +5)

State-level permits & approvals

Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) has jurisdiction for solar ≥50 MW (Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4906). Senate Bill 52 (2021) dramatically altered the siting process: county commissioners gained authority to (1) block individual projects via 90-day review window (must adopt resolution within 90 days of public meeting), and (2) pass blanket 'exclusion zones' restricting all utility-scale solar/wind in unincorporated areas. As of September 2025, 37 Ohio counties have enacted SB 52 exclusion zones affecting at least 1 township. Known full/near-full county bans (as of Mar 2026): Adams, Allen, Auglaize, Brown, Butler, Clark, Clermont, Columbiana, Crawford, Erie, Fairfield, Fayette, Greene, Hancock, Henry, Licking, Logan, Madison, Mahoning, Marion, Medina, Morrow, Ottawa, Putnam, Richland, Seneca, Union, Wayne. Kingwood Solar (175 MW, Greene County) OPSB denial on 'public interest' grounds is before Ohio Supreme Court (oral arguments Mar 13, 2025; decision pending Mar 2026). Projects <50 MW: local zoning governs (HB 501 of 2023 granted local authority over sub-50 MW projects). OPSB certificate preempts local zoning once issued (RC 4906.13(B)); but SB 52 allows county veto before OPSB stage. Priority Investment Areas (PIA): brownfield/former coal mine sites may receive expedited 90-day OPSB review. PJM interconnection required. Most of Ohio served by AEP Ohio, FirstEnergy (ATSI), Duke Energy Ohio (DEOK), or AES Ohio/DP&L.

State incentive programs

Ohio has no Renewable Portfolio Standard (HB 6 2019 effectively eliminated compliance mandate). SREC market: Ohio SRECs tradeable but very low value due to lack of mandate (~$2-5/SREC 2024). Net metering: available under Ohio law for ≤120% of customer load; AEP Ohio, FirstEnergy (Ohio Edison, CEI, Toledo Edison), Duke/DP&L, AES Ohio offer standard programs. Solar PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes): county agreements common for large-scale projects. Ohio Enterprise Zone/CRA: potential tax abatement for qualifying sites. SB52 (2021): county commissioners can restrict ≥50 MW solar projects via exclusion zones or individual project veto — key risk factor for development in 37+ Ohio counties.

Grid & interconnection

PJM / AEP Ohio (AEP) zone

• 2026-07-20 In Ohio Solar Is No Big Threat To Farmlandclevescene.com
• 2026-05-28 6000 Acre Solar Project Permit Nixed By Ohio Supreme Court Now Leastcleveland19.com
• 2026-05-28 6000 Acre Solar Project Permit Nixed Ohio Supreme Court Nowsej.org
• 2026-05-28 6000 Acre Solar Project Permit Nixed By Ohio Supreme Court For Now At Leasttimesleaderonline.com
• 2026-05-28 Ohio Supreme Court Orders Solar 102419576yahoo.com
• 2026-05-27 Supreme Court Decision Solar Energy Farm Must Present More Visual Impact Information Receivehighlandcountypress.com
• 2026-05-26 Ohio Supreme Court Says Madison County Solar Project Must Provide More Information Before Approvalwosu.org