Cities and towns play an essential role in creating a resilient future, with reducing emissions from buildings being a key focus. Thoughtful decisions made today can help establish the groundwork for a strong and sustainable tomorrow. By harnessing the power of solar energy, communities can significantly reduce their carbon footprint while fostering innovation and energy independence.
Advocating for Solar Energy Development
NOPEC is all about pushing for a cleaner, brighter energy future, and solar power is at the heart of it. Last year, we backed HB 197, a bill aimed at kickstarting Community Solar projects in Ohio. These projects would let local communities tap into renewable energy right in their own backyard. Even though the bill didn’t pass in 2024, we’re not giving up. We’ll keep working with partners and supporting efforts that bring more solar energy to Ohio. It’s all part of our commitment to creating a more sustainable and resilient future for all Ohioans.
Financing Solar Energy Growth
NOPEC’s commitment to fostering solar energy extends beyond advocacy to actionable financing solutions. Through programs like Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) and Savings Through Efficiency Program (STEP), NOPEC offers low-interest financing tailored for energy-efficient or renewable upgrades. These initiatives are available to commercial properties, nonprofits, and NOPEC member communities, making it easier for them to adopt solar technologies and contribute to a cleaner energy future.
NOPEC has funded numerous solar energy projects through these programs, including roof preparation and solar installation at Superior Road Apartments in Cleveland in 2024. This project alone is expected to generate estimated annual savings of $61,552, showcasing the tangible benefits of investing in renewable energy.
Join the NOPEC + SolSmart 2025 Cohort
NOPEC is partnering with SolSmart, a national, nonprofit program funded by the US-DOE, to help Ohio municipalities establish smart solar zoning and permitting at the local level. When your community becomes part of the cohort, it will gain access to monthly virtual workshops, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and tailored one-on-one support. Additionally, your community will receive an independent zoning review, which will detail how current policies align with best practices for planning and zoning both small- and large-scale solar arrays. Support will also be provided to create a permitting checklist, facilitating easier adherence to current requirements for residents and contractors, and helping identify opportunities for improvement and steps towards potential changes in local solar zoning, planning, and permitting. Upon completion of participation in the cohort, your community will be awarded the SolSmart Bronze designation.
To join the cohort, visit nopec.org/solsmart to register by June 27, 2025.
S.T.A.R. Program
To bolster NOPEC’s sustainability initiatives and offer a valuable member benefit, NOPEC has partnered with World Kinect to present an exclusive opportunity for selected NOPEC member cities. This collaboration aims to shape their future, reduce municipal carbon footprints, lower energy costs, and set a leading example. The decarbonization roadmaps developed for Scope 1 and 2 emissions will act as foundational elements for broader resiliency and a decarbonization agenda.
The objective is to bridge the gap between idea, strategy, and action; providing selected NOPEC member communities with pertinent, timely market information to aid decision-making regarding the following decarbonization levers, tailored to each community:
• Annual Summit for Participating Communities
• Carbon Footprint Inventory and Glidepath for Municipally Owned Buildings
• On-site Solar with/without Battery Storage Assessment at Municipally Owned Priority Locations
• Fleet Assessment of Municipally Owned Vehicles and Equipment
A decarbonization strategy and carbon footprint analysis are foundational tools for cities aiming to reduce their environmental impact, enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and build a more sustainable future.
Participating communities include Kent, Lakewood, Cleveland Heights, South Euclid, Warren, and Avon Lake.
