Morrow County, OH — Solar Development Risk Assessment

Active SB 52 Exclusion Zone — county resolution banning utility-scale solar

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.

Morrow County: sub-50 MW projects governed by county zoning ordinance. ≥50 MW requires OPSB CECPN (see State Permitting Requirements).

Contested — SB52 ban Aug 2025; Crossroads Solar Grazing Center supported by Ohio Citizen Action

Morrow Co. SB52 ban Aug 25, 2025; OCA supporting Crossroads Solar Grazing project despite ban

Worsening

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.

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.

north-central Ohio; Mount Gilead area; agricultural; AEP Ohio territory. Crossroads Solar Grazing Center | 94 MW | Morrow County | DENIED by OPSB March 2026 — most recent OPSB solar denial on record. Ohio Citizen Action was active in Morrow County supporting the project. SB52 exclusion zone also enacted by Morrow County commissioners (new ban 2025 per OEC).

Crossroads Solar Grazing Center 94 MW — OPSB DENIED March 2026 (most recent OH denial on record). SB52 exclusion zone also enacted by Morrow County commissioners in 2025. Ohio Citizen Action canvassers worked Morrow County in support of the project before denial.