Order Now
Home›Solar Permit Drawings›Ohio Solar Permit Design
OH
🌰 Ohio⚠️ HB 6 — Export Credits as Low as 3¢/kWh

Ohio
Solar Permit Plans.
NEC 2023. RCO + OBC.
Four Utilities. 88 Counties.

Ohio enforces NEC 2023 statewide with the Residential Code of Ohio (RCO) governing 1-3 family structural and the Ohio Building Code (OBC) for commercial. HB 6 changed everything about Ohio solar economics — AEP Ohio, Duke Energy Ohio, and FirstEnergy can pay avoided-cost rates as low as 3 cents/kWh for exported energy while crediting self-consumption at full retail. System sizing decisions in Ohio depend entirely on understanding this split. Every plan set we build gets it right.

NEC 2023 — effective March 2024 RCO (1-3 family) + OBC (commercial) HB 6 Net Metering Documented AEP Ohio · FirstEnergy · Duke · AES Ohio All 88 Counties
Order Ohio Plan Set →HB 6 Guide ↓
NEC 2023Statewide — effective March 2024
RCO + OBCResidential vs commercial structural
3¢/kWhHB 6 avoided-cost export rate (floor)
4 Utility GroupsAEP · FirstEnergy (3) · Duke · AES Ohio
NEC 2023Effective March 2024 — statewide
RCO + OBCResidential vs commercial code split
≤25 kWNet metering eligibility — PUCO
$3/MWhOhio SREC vs $40/MWh PA Tier I
88 CountiesAll covered
Ohio Solar Permits — 2026

Four Utilities, Two Building Codes, and a Net Metering Policy Everyone Gets Wrong

Permit Design produces Ohio solar permit plan sets for solar installers, EPCs, and roofing companies across all 88 Ohio counties. Ohio enforces NEC 2023 statewide, effective March 2024, with updated Article 690 labeling, rapid shutdown, and wiring requirements for solar photovoltaic systems. The Ohio Board of Building Standards certifies county, township, and municipal building departments to enforce the Residential Code of Ohio (RCO) for 1-3 family dwellings and the Ohio Building Code (OBC) for commercial structures — certified AHJs may add requirements above the state baseline, so confirming the specific AHJ's adopted edition matters for every project.

The single most important fact for Ohio solar economics is House Bill 6. Signed in 2019 and tied to Ohio's largest bribery scandal involving former FirstEnergy executives and lobbyists, HB 6 did not eliminate net metering — but it opened the door for AEP Ohio, Duke Energy Ohio, and FirstEnergy subsidiaries to pay solar owners the lower "avoided-cost" rate for exported energy rather than full retail. Under AEP Ohio's Schedule NEM, self-consumption is credited at retail rate while excess export receives avoided-cost credit — sometimes as low as 3 cents per kWh. This split fundamentally changes how Ohio solar systems should be sized.

Ohio has four major utility groups regulated by PUCO under OAC 4901:1-22: AEP Ohio (central/southern Ohio, ~1.5M customers), three FirstEnergy subsidiaries (Ohio Edison, Toledo Edison, The Illuminating Company), Duke Energy Ohio (Cincinnati), and AES Ohio (Dayton). Each maintains distinct interconnection portals and tiered fee schedules. Every Permit Design Ohio plan set references NEC 2023, the correct RCO/OBC structural code, HB 6 net metering documentation, and the correct utility's interconnection format.

Last updated: May 2026 · Reading time: ~8 minutes · NEC 2023, HB 6 net metering status, and PUCO interconnection rules confirmed as of May 2026.

HB 6 — Ohio Net Metering

Self-Consumption vs Export — Why HB 6 Changes How You Size Ohio Systems

Ohio's net metering policy is one of the most contentious in the country, and the gap between self-consumption credit and export credit matters enormously when sizing a system. Here is what every Ohio installer needs to understand.

HB 6 — 2019
Net Metering Survived, But Export Credits Dropped to Avoided-Cost
House Bill 6, signed in 2019, did not eliminate Ohio net metering outright — but it opened the door for AEP Ohio, Duke Energy Ohio, and FirstEnergy subsidiaries (Ohio Edison, Toledo Edison, The Illuminating Company) to pay solar owners the lower "avoided-cost" rate for energy exported to the grid, rather than the full retail rate. Under AEP Ohio's Schedule NEM, self-consumption — energy used behind the meter — is credited at the full retail rate, while excess export receives avoided-cost credit, sometimes as low as 3 cents per kWh and does not bank month-to-month under AEP's model. HB 6's passage was directly connected to Ohio's largest bribery scandal, involving former FirstEnergy executives and lobbyists. As of early 2026, the Ohio legislature has considered — but not enacted — full restoration of retail-rate net metering, and PUCO proceedings remain active. Verify current tariffs before finalizing system size.
Self-Consumption
Energy Used Behind the Meter
Full Retail Rate
Solar energy consumed directly by the home — running appliances, HVAC, EV charging during generation hours — offsets electricity that would otherwise be purchased at the full retail rate, around $0.17/kWh in Ohio. This is the most valuable use of every kWh an Ohio solar system produces under current HB 6 tariff structures.
Excess Export
Energy Sent to the Grid
As Low as 3¢/kWh
Under AEP Ohio's Schedule NEM and similar FirstEnergy and Duke Energy Ohio tariffs, excess generation exported to the grid is credited at the "avoided-cost" generation component — not the full retail rate. AEP materials describe monthly net export multiplied by the generation energy component, without month-to-month banking of the kWh total under this model.
System sizing strategy for Ohio. Because export credit is significantly lower than the retail import rate under HB 6 tariffs, oversizing a system purely to maximize export can lengthen payback rather than improve it. The strongest design lever is right-sizing the array to match daytime self-consumption — including planned loads like EV charging — and considering battery storage to shift midday production into evening use, where it offsets retail-rate consumption instead of being exported at avoided-cost. Permit Design plan sets do not include system sizing recommendations, but installers advising Ohio customers should factor the self-consumption/export split into proposals.
Ohio Code Structure

NEC 2023 + RCO (Residential) + OBC (Commercial) — The Dual-Permit Reality

Ohio's code structure has three components that solar plan sets must navigate correctly: the electrical code (NEC 2023, statewide), the residential structural code (RCO, for 1-3 family), and the commercial structural code (OBC). A dual-permit process — building permit AND electrical permit — applies to every Ohio solar project.

Electrical Code
NEC 2023 (NFPA 70-2023)
✓ Effective March 2024 — statewide standard
✓ Article 690 — updated labeling, RSD, wiring
⚠ Individual AHJs may still be transitioning
✓ Confirm with specific AHJ before finalizing
Residential Structural
Residential Code of Ohio (RCO)
✓ Applies to 1-3 family dwellings
✓ ASCE 7 wind and snow load criteria apply
✓ Most residential solar projects use RCO
⚠ Local AHJ may add above-baseline requirements
Commercial Structural
Ohio Building Code (OBC)
✓ Applies to commercial + multi-family
✓ ASCE 7 wind and snow load criteria apply
✓ Ground-mount commercial systems
⚠ Certified AHJ enforces — confirm edition
Dual-permit process: building permit AND electrical permit, both required. A common Ohio permitting mismatch occurs when installers apply only for a building permit under RCO or OBC without accounting for the separate electrical permit requirement under NEC 2023. A rooftop system that clears building permit review may still require a distinct electrical inspection before AEP Ohio, FirstEnergy, Duke Energy Ohio, or AES Ohio will authorize energization. Both AHJ approvals are required before utility energization — Permit Design plan sets clearly separate building permit and electrical permit documentation requirements.
Ohio Utilities

Four Utility Groups Under PUCO OAC 4901:1-22

Ohio's deregulated electricity market means customers can choose their retail electricity supplier through CRES providers — but solar interconnection always runs through the local distribution utility regardless of retail supplier choice.

UtilityTerritoryInterconnection FeeNet MeteringTimeline
AEP OhioCentral + southern Ohio, ~1.5M customers, incl. Columbus$300 pre-application + tiered feesSchedule NEM — retail self-consumption / avoided-cost export~35 days avg to interconnection agreement
Ohio Edison (FirstEnergy)Northeast + central OhioL1 $50 · L2 $50+$1/kW · L3 $100+$2/kWAvailable — HB 6 avoided-cost export applies4–6 weeks typical
Toledo Edison (FirstEnergy)Northwest Ohio, Toledo areaL1 $50 · L2 $50+$1/kW · L3 $100+$2/kWAvailable — HB 6 avoided-cost export applies4–6 weeks typical
The Illuminating Co. (FirstEnergy)Cleveland area, Cuyahoga CountyL1 $50 · L2 $50+$1/kW · L3 $100+$2/kWAvailable — HB 6 avoided-cost export applies4–6 weeks typical
Duke Energy OhioCincinnati area, Hamilton CountyTiered fee structure — comparable to FirstEnergyAvailable — HB 6 avoided-cost export applies4–6 weeks typical
AES Ohio (Dayton P&L)Dayton area, Montgomery CountyTiered fee structure — comparable to FirstEnergyAvailable — net metering ≤25 kW4–6 weeks typical
Three FirstEnergy subsidiaries, three separate territories. Ohio Edison (northeast/central Ohio), Toledo Edison (northwest Ohio), and The Illuminating Company (Cleveland) are all FirstEnergy subsidiaries but serve distinct geographic territories with the same tiered fee schedule (L1 $50, L2 $50+$1/kW, L3 $100+$2/kW). Net metering is available for systems up to 25 kW across all four Ohio utility groups under PUCO rules. Permit Design verifies the specific FirstEnergy subsidiary and confirms the correct interconnection portal for every Ohio project address.
Ohio SREC Market

Ohio SREC ($3/MWh) vs Pennsylvania Tier I ($40/MWh) — A Cross-State Opportunity

Ohio solar owners can earn Solar Renewable Energy Certificates — but the in-state market value is dramatically lower than a nearby alternative market that Ohio projects can also access.

Ohio SREC Market
~$3/MWh
Ohio's SREC market is currently valued at approximately $3 per MWh, available through January 2028 under current program rules. One SREC is earned per MWh of solar generation. At this value, SREC income is a minor contributor to overall system economics for Ohio residential solar.
PA Tier I REC Market
~$40/MWh
Ohio solar projects can alternatively sell into the Pennsylvania Tier I REC market — not the PA SREC market specifically, but the broader Tier I alternative energy market — trading at approximately $40/MWh. This is roughly 13x the value of Ohio's in-state SREC market for the same MWh of generation.
Evaluate both markets before defaulting to Ohio SREC registration. The roughly 13x value difference between Ohio's SREC market (~$3/MWh) and the Pennsylvania Tier I REC market (~$40/MWh) means installers should evaluate REC market options with customers rather than automatically registering for the Ohio program. Permit Design plan sets include documentation supporting registration in either market — the choice depends on the specific REC aggregator and program eligibility at time of installation.
What's Included

Ohio Solar Permit Plan Set Contents

Every Ohio plan set references NEC 2023 electrical, RCO (residential) or OBC (commercial) structural provisions, county-specific ASCE 7-22 loads, HB 6 net metering documentation, and the correct utility interconnection package.

Sheet 01
Cover Sheet
NEC 2023 electrical code citation. RCO (1-3 family) or OBC (commercial/multi-family) structural code citation. County, township, or municipal AHJ identified. Electrical contractor licence reference. AEP Ohio, FirstEnergy subsidiary, Duke Energy Ohio, or AES Ohio interconnection reference. Building permit AND electrical permit both flagged as required.
Sheet 02
Site Plan
Scaled property diagram showing lot lines, utility service entrance for the specific Ohio utility, fire department access lanes, and conductor routing from array to inverter to service panel. County identified for ASCE 7-22 snow and wind load lookup. Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Dayton AHJ-specific notations where applicable.
Sheet 03
Roof Layout
Drawing of the proposed array footprint across the roof planes, noting pitch, orientation, and where each row of modules attaches to the framing below — referencing RCO for residential roofs or OBC for commercial structures. County-specific snow loads: Lake Erie counties (Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, Ashtabula, Erie) 25-30 psf; southern/central Ohio (Hamilton, Franklin, Montgomery) 15-20 psf. Wind loads 90-115 mph per ASCE 7-22.
Sheet 04
Single-Line Diagram
NEC 2023 Article 690 (Solar Photovoltaic Systems) compliant wiring diagram with updated labeling per the 2023 edition. NEC 2023 §690.12 Rapid Shutdown shown with system boundary, initiating device, and array dimensions. Formatted for the specific utility's interconnection technical review — AEP Ohio, FirstEnergy, Duke Energy Ohio, or AES Ohio.
Sheet 05
Structural Calculations
PE stamp issued by an Ohio-licensed engineer covering structural adequacy for the proposed array. For 1-3 family homes, the RCO governs roof framing, attachment, and load provisions; for commercial or multi-family buildings, OBC Chapter 16 applies instead. The report documents how the existing roof structure carries the added dead load and how regional snow and wind values factor into the attachment design — figures pulled from ASCE 7-22 based on the project county.
Sheet 06
Rapid Shutdown
Documentation showing how the installation satisfies NEC 2023 §690.12 — marking the rapid shutdown boundary on the roof plan, identifying the initiating device, recording overall array dimensions, and confirming labelling matches NEC 690.56(C) under the 2023 edition. Required by certified Ohio AHJs as part of the separate electrical permit and inspection process, distinct from building permit review.
Sheet 07
Utility Interconnection Package
AEP Ohio (Schedule NEM), Ohio Edison, Toledo Edison, The Illuminating Company, Duke Energy Ohio, or AES Ohio interconnection application — formatted with the correct tiered fee schedule. HB 6 net metering eligibility (≤25 kW) documented including self-consumption vs export credit structure. PUCO OAC 4901:1-22 compliance referenced.
Sheet 08
Equipment Datasheets
Manufacturer cut sheets covering the modules, inverter, racking system, and any optimisers specified — all UL-listed and arranged to match what the serving utility expects to see during interconnection review. Ohio property tax exemption (under 250 kW) reference notation. Ohio SREC or PA Tier I REC registration documentation included for installer reference.
Process

How Ohio Solar Permit Plan Sets Work

01

Submit Your Ohio Project

Send us the county and city — we determine the certified AHJ, the correct utility group (AEP Ohio vs the specific FirstEnergy subsidiary vs Duke Energy Ohio vs AES Ohio), and whether RCO (1-3 family) or OBC (commercial) structural provisions apply. Electrical contractor licence details for the cover sheet.

02

We Build to NEC 2023 + RCO/OBC

NEC 2023 electrical throughout, with the AHJ's specific enforcement status confirmed. RCO or OBC structural with ASCE 7-22 county-specific loads. Ohio-licensed PE-stamped calculations. HB 6 net metering documentation (self-consumption vs export credit) and the correct utility's tiered interconnection package.

03

Delivered in 24–48 Hours

Turnaround for the full 8-sheet Ohio package is 24–48 hours from submission. From there you can move on three fronts at once: the local building permit application, the separate NEC 2023 electrical permit, and the utility interconnection request. Free revisions until your Ohio AHJ approves both permits.

First-Time Ohio Clients

Try Us on Your First Ohio Project. Free.

Haven't worked with us before? Send over the details of your first Ohio residential project and we'll put together the full 8-sheet package at no cost — covering NEC 2023 wiring, RCO structural sign-off, region-appropriate loads, the HB 6 net metering breakdown, and paperwork for whichever Ohio utility serves the address.

This offer is for solar installers, EPCs, and roofing companies that install solar — not individual homeowners or end customers. Limited to one free residential plan set per company.

Claim Your Free OH Plan Set →
✓ NEC 2023 — effective March 2024
✓ RCO/OBC structural compliance
✓ HB 6 net metering documented
✓ AEP · FirstEnergy · Duke · AES Ohio ISA
✓ Free revisions until AHJ approval
Ohio Solar Market — 2026

Ohio Solar by the Numbers

3¢/kWh
HB 6 Avoided-Cost Export Floor
Under HB 6, AEP Ohio, Duke Energy Ohio, and FirstEnergy subsidiaries can credit excess solar export at the avoided-cost generation rate — as low as 3 cents per kWh — rather than the full retail rate (~17¢/kWh) applied to self-consumption. This roughly 5-6x gap between self-consumption and export value is the single most important factor in Ohio solar system sizing decisions for 2026.
~$0.17/kWh
Average Ohio Electricity Rate
Ohio's average utility electricity rate sits around $0.17/kWh in 2026. Combined with HB 6's self-consumption/export credit split, this rate underscores why right-sizing systems to match daytime household consumption — rather than maximizing total generation for export — produces better payback in the current Ohio tariff environment across AEP Ohio, FirstEnergy, Duke Energy Ohio, and AES Ohio territories.
Top 20
Ohio's National Solar Ranking
Ohio ranks among the top 20 states for total solar installations despite its contentious net metering history. The combination of NEC 2023 compliance, a 100% deregulated retail electricity market with CRES provider choice, and a 250 kW property tax exemption threshold continues to support solar adoption growth across AEP Ohio, FirstEnergy, Duke Energy Ohio, and AES Ohio territories statewide.
≤25 kW
Net Metering Eligibility Cap
PUCO requires Ohio's investor-owned utilities to offer net metering for systems up to 25 kW — covering the vast majority of residential and small commercial solar installations. Ohio Edison, AEP Ohio, and Duke Energy Ohio are explicitly confirmed as offering net metering programs; AES Ohio and the remaining FirstEnergy subsidiaries follow comparable PUCO-regulated structures under OAC 4901:1-22.
250 kW
Property Tax Exemption Threshold
Ohio provides a property tax exemption for renewable energy projects under 250 kW — covering essentially all residential solar installations, which are typically well under this threshold. The exemption generally requires an application through the relevant county auditor. Permit Design includes property tax exemption reference documentation in every Ohio plan set to support this application process.
35 Days
AEP Ohio Average Interconnection Time
AEP Ohio's interconnection process averages 35 days from application to interconnection agreement, following a $300 pre-application fee plus tiered interconnection fees based on system size. FirstEnergy subsidiaries (Ohio Edison, Toledo Edison, The Illuminating Company) use a simpler L1/L2/L3 tiered structure: L1 $50, L2 $50 plus $1/kW, L3 $100 plus $2/kW.
Ohio AHJ Rejections

Top 3 Reasons Ohio Solar Permits Get Rejected

Three permit rejection causes account for the majority of Ohio solar project delays across the 88-county certified AHJ landscape. All three are avoidable.

01
Building Permit Filed Without Separate Electrical Permit
A common Ohio permitting mismatch: installers apply for and receive a building permit under RCO or OBC, proceed with installation, but have not separately applied for the electrical permit required under NEC 2023. A rooftop system that clears building permit review can still fail at the electrical inspection stage — and the utility (AEP Ohio, FirstEnergy, Duke Energy Ohio, or AES Ohio) will not authorize energization without both AHJ approvals complete. This dual-permit structure catches installers used to single-permit states.
RCO/OBC building permit · NEC 2023 electrical permit · dual approval
How we prevent it: Every Ohio plan set clearly flags both the building permit (RCO/OBC) and electrical permit (NEC 2023) as separate, required submissions to the certified AHJ — formatted so neither is overlooked during the application process.
02
Wrong FirstEnergy Subsidiary or Utility Group for Address
Ohio has three separate FirstEnergy subsidiaries — Ohio Edison (northeast/central Ohio), Toledo Edison (northwest Ohio), and The Illuminating Company (Cleveland area) — plus AEP Ohio, Duke Energy Ohio, and AES Ohio. Submitting interconnection documentation for the wrong FirstEnergy subsidiary, or confusing AEP Ohio's $300 pre-application fee structure with FirstEnergy's L1/L2/L3 tiered fees, results in application rejection and restarts the interconnection timeline — averaging 35 days for AEP Ohio and 4-6 weeks for FirstEnergy subsidiaries.
PUCO OAC 4901:1-22 · utility-specific fee schedules
How we prevent it: We verify the specific utility group and, where applicable, the specific FirstEnergy subsidiary by project address before building the interconnection package — applying the correct fee schedule and portal for that utility.
03
Local AHJ Enforcing Different NEC Edition or Additional Requirements
While NEC 2023 is Ohio's statewide standard effective March 2024, the Ohio Board of Building Standards certifies county, township, and municipal building departments to enforce codes — meaning individual AHJs may still be transitioning to NEC 2023, or may have adopted additional requirements above the state baseline. A plan set built strictly to the statewide NEC 2023 standard without confirming the specific certified AHJ's current enforcement status and any local amendments can trigger correction requests.
Ohio Board of Building Standards · certified AHJ variation
How we prevent it: We confirm the specific certified AHJ's NEC adoption status and any additional local requirements for every Ohio project before finalizing the plan set — not assuming uniform statewide enforcement.
See all 8 common plan set rejection reasons → Residential Solar Permit Design →
FAQ

Ohio Solar Permit Design — Frequently Asked Questions

NEC 2023 (NFPA 70-2023), effective March 2024. NEC 2023 Article 690 includes updated labeling, rapid shutdown, and wiring requirements for solar PV systems. While NEC 2023 is the statewide standard, the Ohio Board of Building Standards certifies local AHJs to enforce codes — individual AHJs may still be transitioning or have additional requirements. Permit Design confirms each AHJ's status before delivery.
The Residential Code of Ohio (RCO) governs 1-3 family dwellings; the Ohio Building Code (OBC) governs commercial and multi-family structures. Structural calculations must comply with ASCE 7 wind and snow load criteria for the project location. Certified local AHJs enforce these codes and may add requirements above the state baseline.
HB 6 (2019) did not eliminate net metering, but allows AEP Ohio, Duke Energy Ohio, and FirstEnergy to credit excess export at the lower "avoided-cost" rate — as low as 3¢/kWh — while crediting self-consumption at full retail. HB 6's passage was tied to Ohio's largest bribery scandal. As of early 2026, full retail-rate net metering restoration has been considered but not enacted; PUCO proceedings remain active.
AEP Ohio (central/southern Ohio, ~1.5M customers including Columbus), three FirstEnergy subsidiaries — Ohio Edison (NE/central), Toledo Edison (NW), The Illuminating Company (Cleveland) — Duke Energy Ohio (Cincinnati), and AES Ohio/Dayton P&L (Dayton). All regulated by PUCO under OAC 4901:1-22. Ohio's deregulated market allows CRES retail providers, but interconnection runs through the distribution utility.
AEP Ohio requires a $300 pre-application fee plus tiered fees, averaging 35 days to interconnection agreement. FirstEnergy uses a tiered structure: Level 1 $50, Level 2 $50 plus $1/kW, Level 3 $100 plus $2/kW. Duke Energy Ohio and AES Ohio have comparable tiered structures. Net metering is available for systems up to 25 kW.
Ohio's SREC market is currently valued at approximately $3/MWh, available through January 2028. Alternatively, Ohio projects can sell into the Pennsylvania Tier I REC market at approximately $40/MWh — roughly 13x Ohio's in-state value. Installers should evaluate both options with customers.
Yes. Ohio exempts renewable energy projects under 250 kW from property tax on the added value — covering essentially all residential installations. The exemption generally requires an application through the county auditor. Permit Design includes supporting documentation in every Ohio plan set.
Ohio requires a building permit (RCO or OBC) AND a separate electrical permit (NEC 2023), both from the certified local AHJ. A system that clears building permit review can still require a separate electrical inspection before the utility will energize. Both AHJ approvals must be complete before energization.
Turnaround is 24-48 hours. The package covers NEC 2023 wiring documentation, RCO or OBC structural sign-off with region-specific ASCE 7-22 loading, a breakdown of the HB 6 self-consumption versus export credit structure, and interconnection paperwork matched to whichever Ohio utility — and FirstEnergy subsidiary, where relevant — serves the project. Revisions are included at no extra cost until both the building and electrical permits clear AHJ review.
⚡
Reviewed & Verified By PE-stamped plan sets covering all 50 US states · 2,500+ AHJ-ready packages produced each month · trusted by 150+ solar installer and EPC partners Last reviewed: May 2026·About Permit Design →
NEC 2023RCO + OBCHB 6 Documented4 Utility Groups
Neighbouring States

Solar Permit Plan Sets — Midwest & Great Lakes States

🏞️MichiganNEC 2023 🏙️IllinoisNEC 2020 🔔PennsylvaniaNEC 2020 🏛️VirginiaNEC 2020 🌲North Carolina2023 NC EC

Ohio Solar Permits —
HB 6 Handled.

NEC 2023 · RCO + OBC · Dual-Permit Formatted
AEP Ohio · FirstEnergy · Duke Energy · AES Ohio · 88 Counties · 24–48 Hours

Order Ohio Plan Set →Contact Us
First-time Ohio client? Your first residential plan set is on us. Mention "free trial" in your order notes.