Solar power on the rise in Central Ohio despite Trump tariffs

Solar power now accounts for 2{0b7da518931e2dc7f5435818fa9adcc81ac764ac1dff918ce2cdfc05099e9974} of electricity in the United States and has accounted for at least one-third of all new electric capacity brought online in the last three years, according to the Solar Industries Energy Association. It’s an industry that’s growing across the country and here in Central Ohio.

Scott Snider is one local home owner that is now powering his home with sunshine. Snider says he’s had his eye on solar power for a while, but took the leap this summer because of improving technology and falling prices over the last several years. He uses an app on his phone to monitor his solar panels to see how much they are producing.

“My large silver maple in the backyard cuts me off until around 10 am. Then around 10 am I get this huge spike,” Snider said. “It keeps a graph and I can cycle back through the different days and I can see how my production went.”

Power Home Solar is one of the newest sustainable energy companies to open up shop here – in Worthington.

“That’s what they see on the roof. That’s the new hat for the house,” says Paul McCaleb, expansion manager.

He says that this summer alone, they’ve installed solar panels on hundreds of homes.

“You’re going to pay for power either way and now it’s something people are choosing to own rather than rent,” McCaleb said.

Mccaleb says their numbers are growing every month. Across the country solar power has seen an average annual growth of 59{0b7da518931e2dc7f5435818fa9adcc81ac764ac1dff918ce2cdfc05099e9974} for the last decade.

“It’s been something people have really liked and it’s really grown quickly.”

Some businesses are taking a hit because of President Trump’s new 30{0b7da518931e2dc7f5435818fa9adcc81ac764ac1dff918ce2cdfc05099e9974} tariff on imported solar panels, but that’s not a problem for McCaleb since his solar panels are manufactured in San Antonio, Texas.

Back at Snider’s house, he says one of the things he’s looking forward to the most is a much smaller power bill next month.

“Currently on a busy month we’re seeing a $180-190 electric bill, and I’m expecting that to go down to about $100,” Snider said.

Down the road when his investment is paid off and he makes some additions, he expects he won’t have a power bill at all, just as long as the Central Ohio weather cooperates.