Solar permitting — Richland County, Ohio
10 news items.
⚠️ AVOID OR PROCEED WITH EXTREME CAUTION (Score 77/100, Grade F, deteriorating trajectory) — SB 52 exclusion zone — county commissioners have banned utility-scale solar in all or most unincorporated areas. Permitting: Richland County: sub-50 MW projects governed by county zoning ordinance. ≥50 MW re…
Key driver: SB 52 exclusion zone — county commissioners have banned utility-scale solar in all or most unincorporated areas. NC Ohio; Mansfield area; Richland County confirmed SB 52 exclusion zone (2025); voters challenging ban on May 2026 ballot (4,300+ signatures collected); landmark community pushback case
Permitting process
Local permitting pathway
Richland County: sub-50 MW projects governed by county zoning ordinance. ≥50 MW requires OPSB CECPN (see State Permitting Requirements).
Setbacks & buffers
OPSB standard applies per OAC 4906-4-09(G)(4): ≥50 ft from parcel boundary; ≥300 ft from non-participating residences; ≥150 ft from road ROW. No additional county-specific setbacks.
Spacing requirements
None codified.
Size restrictions
None codified; managed via CUP/SUP conditions
Penalties & bonding
Total penalty: +22 (Moratorium +22)
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.
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State policy & grid context
State RPS & clean energy policy
8.5% by 2026 | HB 6 (2019) reduced original 12.5% standard | ORC §4928.64
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 / FirstEnergy (ATSI — Ohio Edison / Toledo Edison) zone
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Community opposition P1
No organized opposition on record for this county yet — no petition, group, or oppositional coverage tracked. Absence of opposition is a positive siting signal.
Subscriber intel Subscribers
Researched for this county and available with a subscription:
- 🔒Project track record
- 🔒Developer intelligence
- 🔒Community & board sentiment
- 🔒Governing board
- 🔒Sentiment rollup
Energy-related meetings & dockets P1
No tracked activity yet — coverage expands weekly.
State PSC dockets P1
No tracked activity yet — coverage expands weekly.
Local news P3
- 2026-06-03 Light On Mansfield City Council Oks Plan To Build Solar Farms On Top Of Closed Landfills
- 2026-05-30 Why Do We Keep Wasting Money Renewable Technologies Will Soon Be Outdated
- 2026-05-30 Off The Grid Baker County Resident Pens Book About Life On Remote Ranch
- 2026-05-29 Utility Scale Solar
- 2026-05-28 6000 Acre Solar Project Permit Nixed By Ohio Supreme Court Now Least
- 2026-05-28 6000 Acre Solar Project Permit Nixed By Ohio Supreme Court For Now At Least
- 2026-05-28 Solar Farm Proposed For Construction Atop Closed Mansfield Richland County Landfills
- 2026-05-28 Why Do We Keep Wasting Money On Renewable Technologies That Will Soon Be Outdated N3815358
- 2026-05-16 After Solar Wind Farms Sprang Up Citizens Local
- 2026-05-16 After Solar And Wind Farms Suddenly Sprang Up Citizens And Local Governments Sprang Into Action
Full records for this county are part of a SitePath subscription.
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