House Bill 303, introduced by Representatives Jim Hoops and Sharon Ray, would establish Ohio's first community energy pilot program — a common sense solution to our rising energy costs and growing reliability challenges.
Republican Reps. Sharon Ray (left) and Jim Hoops (right)
This isn't just about solar. Community energy embraces a diverse mix of locally generated power sources including solar, biomass, hydro, and other technologies. Ohioans can subscribe to these community projects and receive credits on their monthly electricity bills — no rooftop installation required, no credit checks, no upfront costs.
State Representatives Sharon Ray (R- District 66) and Jim Hoops (R- District 81) introduced House Bill 303 on May 27, 2025.
Unlike previous versions, which called for a community solar pilot program, this year’s legislation is technology-neutral. So technically any source of energy generation project could be in the program, so long as the project is under the program’s cap.
Why this matters
All consumers will save with community energy, not just subscribers.
- The diverse energy mix recognized within the community energy program means that solar, hydro, biomass, natural gas and other sources all have a role to play in strengthening Ohio’s energy resilience.
- According to a piece prepared by Rabago Energy in April 2025, distributed generation reduces the need for expensive long-distance transmission, eases congestion, and maximizes the efficiency of existing infrastructure by generating energy closer to where it’s used. At scale, this localized generation lowers overall system costs and reduces bills for all customers.
What House Bill 303 Does
This is a pilot program — a measured, responsible approach with a built-in review by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) in four years to assess effectiveness and impact.
The Program Details
1,500 MW of generation — enough electricity to power 300,000 to 400,000 homes
Smart land use — makes productive use of underutilized land by encouraging projects on brownfields and former industrial sites. The program provides 1,000 MW of general capacity and 500 MW reserved specifically for distressed sites and commercial rooftops.
Strong consumer protections:
- No credit checks
- No upfront fees
- No penalties if you need to cancel
- Clear rules for how utilities credit subscribers
- Limits on extra fees
Keeps it local — subscribers can only join projects in their own county or neighboring counties
Keeps it accessible — no single subscriber can own more than 40% of a project, keeping it affordable for regular families
Who Benefits from Community Energy?
Renters and condo owners who can't install rooftop solar finally get access to clean, affordable energy.
Small and medium-sized businesses can reduce their operating costs without major capital investments.
Homeowners with shaded roofs, older homes, or those who simply don't want panels on their property can still benefit from local renewable energy.
All Ohioans benefit from a stronger, more reliable grid that generates power locally instead of relying on out-of-state generation.
The Bottom Line
Ohio is facing increasing energy demand, and while there's no single silver bullet, community energy programs under House Bill 303 present a fast, efficient, and cost-effective tool to help meet that demand.
Community energy can be deployed quickly on the distribution side, providing localized power generation that eases strain on the grid and increases resilience. This strengthens Ohio's energy independence, ensuring that we produce more of our power locally instead of relying on out-of-state generation.
With bills climbing, blackouts looming, and thousands of projects stuck in bureaucratic limbo, we can't afford to wait any longer.
House Bill 303 provides a framework for expanding access to local, reliable, and affordable energy. It's time for the Ohio legislature to pass this bill and give Ohioans the power to take control of their energy future.