Report: Highland County solar project expected to bring jobs, $1.8 million in annual tax revenue
https://poweryourcommunity.org/
Leadership from three local labor unions, The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 575, the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) Local 83, and the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 18, are celebrating the official start of construction on the Palomino Solar Energy Project in Highland County.
According to a news release from https://poweryourcommunity.org/news/ohios-union-leaders-celebrate-groun…, the 200 MWAC facility marks a major win for skilled labor and local community investment, bringing hundreds of good-paying jobs, world-class apprenticeship and training opportunities, and approximately $1.8 million in annual property tax revenue to the county.
The three trades worked together with project developer Innergex Renewable Energy to ensure Palomino is built under the highest labor standards, prioritizing local hiring, safety, and investment in the workforce. Once complete, the project will generate enough clean energy to power more than 40,000 Ohio homes.
“The groundbreaking is the culmination of years of work. We’re not just planning a project, but fighting to keep these jobs local and supporting families right here in Highland County,” said James McGraw, business manager of LiUNA Local 83. “This project gives our Laborers an opportunity to head into work today, building the foundation for Ohio’s energy future, while earning the wages and benefits they deserve. We’re proud to put our members’ expertise to work.”
“IBEW members are uniquely trained for the highly specialized, high‑tech work required to build a utility‑scale solar facility like Palomino,” said Joe Dillow, business manager of IBEW Local 575. “This project secures at least a year of work for our members and provides critical on‑the‑job training in the energy sector. We’re not just building a project, we’re building a career pipeline for the next generation of Ohio’s electricians.”
“Projects of this scale require the best equipment operators and the safest standards, which is exactly what our members at IUOE Local 18 deliver,” added Kip Siesel, business representative for IUOE Local 18. “This project is moving forward because our three unions came together with the best expertise to get the job done right. We are proud to support this project for our members and for the economic health of the entire region.”
In addition to job creation, Palomino is expected to generate an estimated $1.8 million in property taxes annually for Highland County, directly benefiting local townships and school districts. Every phase of the project, from site preparation and civil work to electrical installation and interconnection, will be handled by highly skilled, safety‑certified union workers.
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), solar work to date has created over 8,000 jobs in the state, generating enough energy to power 769,555 homes. The Ohio renewable energy industry is expected to continue growing, with solar power generation expected to more than double in the next five years.
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📅 When the Ohio PILOT Program Began
The program was created by Senate Bill 232 in 2010, which established the Qualified Energy Project (QEP) designation.
SB 232 allows renewable energy projects—including solar—to avoid traditional property taxation and instead make fixed Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT).
This is the same framework still used today, extended multiple times by the legislature.
💰 How Much the Program Saves Solar Farms
Ohio’s PILOT program replaces:
Public Utility Tangible Personal Property (PUTPP) tax, and
Real property tax on solar equipment
with a flat annual payment of:
$7,000 per MW for large solar projects (≥20 MW), or
$6,000 per MW for smaller projects (≤20 MW)
(rate depends on county approval).
📌 What Solar Developers Avoid Paying
According to the Ohio Education Policy Institute:
Without PILOT, solar equipment is taxed as PUTPP, which is assessed at 24% of true value and taxed at local millage rates.
SB 232 allows full exemption from these taxes if the project is designated as a QEP.
📊 Typical Savings
The OEPI analysis shows:
A 100 MW solar farm would owe tens of millions in PUTPP and real property taxes over its lifetime.
Under PILOT, that same project instead pays:
$700,000 per year (100 MW × $7,000/MW)
Over 30 years: $21 million total PILOT
Without PILOT, taxes could exceed $60–$80 million, depending on county millage.
Estimated savings:
➡️ 40–70% reduction in total lifetime tax burden for most utility‑scale solar farms.