Protect property rights and access to clean energy in Ohio
Whether farming corn, cattle or sunshine, Ohio farmers deserve the right to decide the best way to use their land and support their families. Ohio law, Senate Bill 52 (SB 52), however takes that choice away from individual farmers and landowners. We need to support their decision to invest in renewable energy. We are losing more than just energy, our rights are also at risk.
SB 52 gives county commissioners the power to establish “exclusion zones”, areas where wind and solar projects are prohibited. This added restriction places an unfair burden on renewable energy development, while fossil fuel projects remain largely unaffected.
Ohio Citizen Action works with local landowners and residents across the state to protect property rights and access to clean energy. In some cases, such as Frasier Solar Project in Knox County and Eastern Cottontail in Fairfield County, we have worked with local residents as they navigated the public comment period in the Ohio Power Siting Board approval process.
In other cases, such as in Richland County, we work with local residents who are fighting the solar ban entirely. SB 52 provides a 30 day period to collect petition signatures to put the county commissioners’ ban on the ballot to allow voters to decide. Taking back the choice and putting it in the hands of individual farmers and landowners is at the core of this work.
Ohio cannot afford to exclude renewable energy sources from our energy strategy.
Utility Scale Solar is a safe and reliable way to increase energy generated without increasing pollution or waste. These projects generate at least 50 megawatts (MW) of electricity per year.
1 MW of electricity is needed to power 300 homes. The smallest utility scale solar projects create enough energy to power 15,000 homes, offsetting the need for that electricity to come from other sources like coal. This can be achieved by a solar project with 250-400 acres of panels.
Ohio Citizen Action is working with communities across the state to empower solar supporters to speak out against solar restrictions in their community.
Utility-scale solar is a safe and reliable way to increase energy generated without increasing pollution or waste. We often hear that solar belongs on rooftops and parking lots. This is not an either-or decision. Utility scale solar projects are sited differently because they generate at least 50 megawatts (MW) of electricity per year.
For context, 1 MW of electricity is needed to power 300 homes. The smallest utility scale solar projects create enough energy to power 15,000 homes, offsetting the need for that electricity to come from other sources like coal. This can be achieved by a solar project with 250-400 acres of panels.
A third of Ohio Counties have already banned utility scale solar projects.
One by one, counties across the state are banning solar projects even though Ohio needs to generate more energy. As of September 2025, 37 counties have passed a resolution creating a solar exclusion zone in at least 1 township in the county.
The map provided below highlights counties that continue to protect landowners' property rights and have refrained from passing a solar ban that impacts 5 townships or more. Richland County residents are fighting back to protect their neighbors. While the county commissioners have established a solar exclusion zone, it has not gone into effect and voters will have their say on the May 2026 ballot.
Portage county residents blocked a solar ban in early April 2026. At a late March public hearing, all but one speaker opposed banning large-scale wind and solar in the county. By passing a resolution to consider projects on a case-by-case basis, the Portage County Commissioners are protecting the property rights and input of farmers, landowners, neighbors, and township trustees alike. Though it is worth noting, all counties without a ban consider projects on a case-by-case basis.
Ohio Citizen Action is currently working across the state to empower local residents to share their support for solar projects.Ohio Citizen Action canvassers have talked to residents at their doors and on the phone. One thing is clear: we must continue to fight for a clean energy future and protect property rights.