FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2025 

Mark Porter Auto Group Celebrates New Solar Array in Pomeroy 

Pomeroy, Ohio – Mark Porter Auto Group hosted a ribbon cutting today to celebrate the completion of a new solar energy system at its Pomeroy location. The 196.7 kW solar array, designed and built by Kokosing Solar, will generate more than 70% of the dealership’s annual electricity needs. 

The system is expected to produce over 236,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, covering the majority of the dealership’s power demand and significantly reducing utility costs. By lowering reliance on the electric grid, the system also provides long-term stability against unpredictable energy prices. 

Funding for the project came from a combination of federal tax incentives and a USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant. These tools helped reduce upfront costs, making it possible for a small business in rural Ohio to invest in advanced energy technology. 

“Kokosing Solar is proud to partner with Mark Porter Auto Group on this project,” said Roberta Washburn of Kokosing Solar. “This solar array is a great example of how, in the face of increasing electricity costs, local businesses can benefit from proven, cost-saving technology.” 

The project reflects Kokosing Solar’s 20+ years of experience serving commercial, governmental, and institutional clients across the Midwest. As a division of Kokosing, one of the largest family-owned construction companies in the region, Kokosing Solar combines local expertise with extensive resources to deliver customized, long-lasting energy solutions. 

About Mark Porter Auto Group

Mark Porter Auto Group has proudly served southeastern Ohio with quality vehicles and trusted customer service for nearly 20 years. With locations in Pomeroy and Jackson OH and Ashland KY, the dealership remains committed to supporting the community and providing customers with dependable transportation. 

About Kokosing Solar

Kokosing Solar has been designing, building, and financing renewable energy solutions for residential & commercial clients across the Midwest since 2000. We bring more than 25 years of solar installation experience as Ohio’s longest-standing full-service solar installer. In 2022 we became Kokosing Solar and are strengthened by the 74 years of experience of Kokosing, Inc., one of the largest family-owned construction companies in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. We serve residential and commercial clients in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, and beyond. We are a fully insured and licensed Electrical Contractor committed to delivering safe high-performance systems with top notch customer service. 

Net Metering vs. SRECs in Ohio: What Homeowners Need to Know 

When you start exploring solar for your home or business in Ohio, two terms come up often: net metering and Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs). Both are incentives designed to reward you for going solar, but they work in very different ways. Understanding the difference can help you maximize the financial benefits of your solar investment. 

What is Net Metering in Ohio? 

Net metering is one of the most valuable incentives for Ohio solar owners. With net metering, your utility tracks how much electricity your solar panels produce compared to how much you use. 

When your system generates more electricity than you need, the extra power flows back to the grid. 

In return, you earn a credit on your utility bill for that surplus electricity. 

At times when your home needs more energy than your solar system is producing—like at night—you can use those credits to offset the electricity you pull from the grid. 

The result? Lower and more predictable electric bills. 

Ohio’s net metering policies are regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), and while the details vary by utility, net metering remains the main way solar owners save money in the state. 

What are Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs)? 

While net metering reduces your monthly utility bill, SRECs provide an opportunity for additional income. 

Here’s how they work: 

For every megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity your solar system produces, you earn one SREC. 

These credits can be sold on the open market to utilities or energy suppliers who need them to meet renewable energy requirements. 

Homeowners typically work with a broker or aggregator who manages the sale of SRECs and sends payment back to you. 

The catch? Ohio’s SREC market is relatively small, and the value of SRECs has dropped compared to other states with stronger renewable portfolio standards. That means Ohio homeowners usually see SRECs as a bonus, not the main source of savings. 

Ohio homeowners are allowed to sell their SRECs on other States markets. Your solar consultant can work with you to determine the best market for you.  

Net Metering vs. SRECs: The Key Differences 

Both incentives reward you for producing clean energy, but they work in very different ways: 

• Net metering directly lowers your electric bill every month. 

• SRECs are a tradable commodity that can bring in extra cash but fluctuate in value. 

• Net metering is regulated and relatively stable, while SRECs are based on market supply and demand. 

• Net metering provides ongoing savings, while SRECs usually generate occasional payments. 

Think of net metering as your everyday energy savings engine, and SRECs as a small side bonus. 

Which Incentive is More Valuable in Ohio? 

For most homeowners, net metering delivers the bulk of financial benefit. It ensures that every kilowatt-hour of solar energy you produce offsets your electric costs. 

SRECs, while still beneficial, tend to offer smaller and less predictable income in Ohio. For example: 

A 10 kW residential solar system may generate around 12 MWh per year. 

That equals about 12 SRECs annually. 

Depending on market value, those SRECs may only bring in a few hundred dollars per year—a nice perk, but not the main driver of savings. 

By contrast, net metering can reduce or even eliminate thousands of dollars in annual electricity costs. 

The Future of Net Metering and SRECs in Ohio 

Energy policy is always evolving, and both net metering and SRECs could change in the future. Some neighboring states have stronger SREC programs, while Ohio’s remains modest. Net metering is expected to remain a cornerstone incentive here, but keeping an eye on PUCO updates is important. 

What’s certain: homeowners who go solar now can lock in today’s net metering benefits while also enjoying whatever SREC value is available. 

Conclusion 

In short: 

• Net metering saves you money on your utility bills. 

• SRECs provide extra income but play a smaller role in Ohio. 

Together, they help make solar a smart financial choice—on top of the environmental benefits of using renewable energy.  

If you’re considering solar, now is the time to take advantage of these incentives. Kokosing Solar has been helping Ohio homeowners and businesses maximize their energy savings for 25 years. 

Contact us today for a free consultation and see how much you could save with solar. 

 

Inflation and Solar: Why More Homeowners Are Turning to Solar as a Smart Investment in 2025 

The past few years have been a rollercoaster for families and businesses alike. Rising energy costs, stubborn inflation, and economic uncertainty have many people wondering: What’s the smartest way to protect my household finances right now? 

At Kokosing Solar, we’ve been installing solar in Ohio for more than 25 years, and we’ve noticed an important trend. More homeowners are looking at solar as a way to hedge against inflation and protect their budgets for decades to come. 

Solar as a Hedge Against Inflation 

Traditional investments like savings accounts and even the stock market can feel volatile in uncertain times. But electricity is something you will always need.  

By installing solar, you’re essentially pre-purchasing years of power at today’s prices. That means no matter how fast utility rates climb, you’ll have predictable, reliable savings locked in. 

Think of it like this: Imagine if you could go back to 1993 and lock in 30 years of gasoline at $1.11 a gallon. That’s exactly what solar allows you to do with electricity today—without the hassle of storing a bunch of barrels in your backyard. 

And if you drive or plan to drive an electric vehicle, those savings extend even further, shielding you from future gasoline price spikes, as well.  

Real Returns, Tax-Free 

The return from solar comes in the form of avoided costs, making it a low-risk investment—money you’re no longer sending to your utility company each month. Unlike traditional investment income, those savings aren’t taxed, making solar a uniquely powerful financial tool.  

Solar Adds Value to Your Home 

Even if you’re not planning to stay in your home forever, solar still makes financial sense. In 2019, a nationwide Zillow study found that homes with solar sell for an average of 4.1% more than comparable homes without it. And in 2025, a SolarReviews study found homes with solar sell for 6.9% more than homes without.   

Todays buyers see the value of lower utility bills and are willing to pay a premium for a home that includes a high-quality solar installation. 

Why Act Now? 

Energy prices in Ohio have continued to climb, and experts predict further increases in the coming years. Add in inflation and market uncertainty, and the case for solar becomes even stronger. While it’s natural to want to “pause” big financial decisions in uncertain times, many of our clients see going solar as their way to take action—to “fight” inflation instead of freezing in place. 

The sun rises every day. And with solar, you can turn that certainty into long-term financial security. 

Take Control of Your Energy Future 

At Kokosing Solar, we’ve been helping Ohio homeowners and businesses go solar for more than 25 years. Our team will provide a customized savings report, answer your questions, and help you make the best decision for your family. 

  

Ready to learn how solar can protect you from inflation and rising energy costs? 

Contact us today to schedule your free solar consultation.

What Does the AI Boom Mean for Your Electric Bill in Ohio? 

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been making headlines everywhere—from smart tools that write and analyze data, to new breakthroughs in medicine and manufacturing.  

But while AI feels futuristic, its impact on something much closer to home—your electric bill—is already starting to show up. 

Behind every AI tool is a massive data center running thousands of computers 24/7. These facilities use enormous amounts of power—sometimes as much electricity as an entire small city.  

As more of them are built across the Midwest, including right here in Ohio, the added demand on the electric grid could mean higher costs for everyone. 

So, what does the AI boom mean for your electric bill? Let’s break it down. 

Why AI Uses So Much Power 

AI systems run on powerful computer chips designed to process huge amounts of information. To keep those chips running, data centers need electricity for two main things: 

1. Computing power – The servers never stop working, crunching data around the clock. 

1. Cooling systems – All that computing generates heat, so the data center also runs industrial-scale air conditioning to keep equipment from overheating. 

The result: a new data center can use as much electricity as 100,000 homes. Multiply that by dozens of centers being built nationwide, and you start to see the scale. 

How More Demand Affects the Grid 

The electric grid is like a balancing act—it must supply the exact amount of power people need, every day. 

When giant new users like AI data centers come online, the grid has to adjust. That means: 

• Building or upgrading power plants to make sure there’s enough electricity available. 

• Expanding transmission lines to carry that power long distances. 

• Strengthening substations to handle the added load. 

The cost of those upgrades is spread across all electric customers through higher capacity, transmission, and distribution charges. 

Why This Matters in Ohio 

Ohio is part of a regional power market that sets prices for having electricity available when demand is highest. Recently, that market hit record-high prices, with costs rising more than 20% in just one year. 

One of the major drivers? Rising demand from data centers and new technologies like AI. 

That means Ohio households and businesses can expect bills to climb—not necessarily because electricity itself is more expensive, but because the fees tied to capacity, transmission, and distribution are climbing. 

 

What It Could Mean for Your Bill 

• Homeowners: Expect to see new riders and line items added to monthly bills as utilities recover infrastructure costs. 

• Small businesses: Rising demand charges and capacity costs can make a noticeable dent in operating budgets. 

• Large organizations: Hitting high peaks during hot afternoons or cold mornings will carry even bigger penalties. 

How You Can Take Back Control 

While you can’t stop data centers from being built, you can take steps to protect your own bottom line: 

• Reduce peak usage. Simple changes, like shifting heavy energy use away from late afternoons in the summer, can make a difference. 

• Invest in efficiency. Upgrading lighting, HVAC, or insulation lowers overall energy use—and paybacks are faster when rates are high. 

• Go solar. Generating your own electricity helps you lock in predictable costs for decades, reducing reliance on the grid. 

• Add storage. Pairing solar with batteries can cut peak demand charges and provide backup power during outages. 

 

Kokosing Solar’s Perspective 

We’ve been through plenty of market changes in our 25 years of building solar systems across Ohio. The AI boom is the latest energy challenge—and it’s adding new urgency to an old problem: how to protect your energy costs from rising grid prices. 

The good news is that you don’t have to wait and see what happens. By planning ahead with solar and storage, you can stabilize your costs, add resilience to your home or business, and take control of your energy future. 

Conclusion: Turning Challenge Into Opportunity 

The AI boom may sound like something happening in far-off tech hubs, but it’s already reshaping Ohio’s electric grid.  

More demand means more pressure on the system—and higher costs.  

But you don’t have to face these rising costs unprepared. By investing in efficiency, solar, and storage, you can turn this challenge into an opportunity to save money, reduce risk, and power your home or business with clean, reliable energy. 

At Kokosing Solar, we’re here to help you explore the options, run the numbers, and find a solution that fits your needs. If you’re ready to take back control of your energy costs, now is the time to start. 

 

The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) has long been one of the most important incentives for businesses investing in renewable energy. Covering up to 30% of eligible project costs, plus potential add-on bonuses, the ITC significantly improves the financial case for commercial solar. 

However, the ITC isn’t static. It follows a stepdown schedule with firm deadlines that determine whether a business can capture the full 30% credit or risk receiving less. For commercial project owners and developers, understanding this schedule is critical to maximizing returns. 

In this blog, we’ll break down the ITC timeline in clear terms, so you know exactly what to expect — and when to act. 

Federal Solar Tax Credit Stepdown Schedule for Commercial Projects: Key Deadlines to Know

The ITC currently allows businesses to claim 30% of solar project costs as a federal tax credit. But the schedule includes deadlines that hinge on three key milestones: 

• Safe Harbor – Paying ~5% of project costs upfront to lock in the tax credit rate. 

• Beginning of Construction – Larger projects must show measurable progress to preserve the credit. 

• Placed in Service – Projects must be operational by specific deadlines to remain eligible. 

Key Dates for Commercial Solar Projects 

Here’s a simplified breakdown of the federal solar tax credit stepdown schedule that every business considering going solar in 2026 or 2027 should know: 

December 31, 2025: Last Day to Safe Harbor Before Procurement Rules Change 

• Projects 1.5 MW and smaller can “Safe Harbor” by paying ~5% of project costs. 

• Doing this secures the current ITC rules and avoids being subject to new procurement restrictions. 

January 1, 2026: Procurement Restrictions Begin 

• New rules prohibit sourcing certain solar components from countries such as China, Russia, and North Korea. 

• Why it matters: This may impact pricing, availability, and lead times for equipment. Businesses that plan ahead can minimize disruption. 

July 4, 2026: Safe Harbor and Construction Milestone 

• Projects smaller than 1.5 MW → Must Safe Harbor ~5% of project costs by this date to stay eligible for the 30% ITC and related bonuses. 

• Projects larger than 1.5 MW → Must show clear evidence of “Beginning of Construction” to preserve the full 30% credit. 

December 31, 2027: Placed in Service Deadline 

• Any project that did not Safe Harbor by July 4, 2026 must be fully operational and “placed in service” by the end of 2027. 

• Projects missing this deadline risk losing the 30% ITC, along with valuable add-on bonuses for things like domestic content or energy communities. 

 

What This Means for Commercial Solar 

For businesses considering solar, the stepdown schedule is all about timing. 

• Smaller projects (under 1.5 MW): You have more flexibility, but Safe Harboring early is the surest way to protect your credit. 

• Larger projects (over 1.5 MW): Delays can be costly — construction must begin by mid-2026 to stay on track. 

• All projects: Supply chain planning will become even more important once procurement restrictions take effect in 2026. 

Working with an experienced solar partner ensures your project is designed, financed, and scheduled in alignment with these critical deadlines. 

 

Strategies to Maximize Your Tax Credit 

• Safe Harbor early to lock in the 30% ITC plus associated bonuses and avoid procurement rule risks. 

• Align project timelines with construction deadlines — especially for large-scale commercial systems. 

• Keep front of mind equipment procurement strategies to meet compliance and bonus credit requirements. 

• Consult experts who understand tax law, financing, and EPC construction to keep your project eligible. 

 

Final Thoughts 

The federal solar tax credit remains one of the strongest financial incentives for businesses to invest in solar energy — but only for those who plan carefully.  

Missing a deadline could mean missing out on millions in savings. 

Now is the time to evaluate your solar project pipeline and secure your eligibility before procurement rules tighten and deadlines approach. 

Ready to explore how your business can take full advantage of the ITC? Contact Kokosing Solar’s commercial team today to start planning your project with confidence. 

Ohio businesses and homeowners are beginning to see electricity costs climb—and forecasts suggest these increases are not going away any time soon. This trend is tied to a series of changes happening across the electric grid that serves our region. The Mid-Atlantic and Midwest grid operator, PJM, recently reported record-high results in its capacity auction for the 2026/27 planning year, with prices rising over 20% compared to the previous year. 

While that technical language can feel far removed from your monthly bill, the reality is simple: the cost of keeping the lights on in Ohio is going up. Let’s break down why. 

What’s Driving Higher Energy Prices? 

Several factors are converging to create higher costs for electricity customers across Ohio: 

1. Changing Cost Management 

Grid operators have changed how they price electricity capacity—the reserve power needed to keep the grid stable during times of highest demand. These reforms were designed to ensure enough new resources are added to the grid, but they also pushed prices higher. 

2. Growing Demand for Power

Electricity demand is increasing again after years of flat growth. One major driver is the rapid expansion of large data centers, which use significant amounts of power. This new demand means the grid must secure more reliable supply, which comes at a higher cost. 

3. Shifts in Generation Resources

While demand is growing, the number of available power plants has stayed mostly flat. Older coal plants continue to retire, and although wind and solar projects are being added, these resources are considered “intermittent,” meaning they don’t provide around-the-clock power. This mismatch contributes to higher capacity prices. 

4. Bottlenecks in Bringing New Power Online

Thousands of renewable energy projects are waiting to connect to the grid, but the approval process has slowed progress. Until more of these projects can come online, supply constraints will continue to drive up costs. 

 

What This Means for Ohio Consumers 

Taken together, these conditions point to a future where electricity prices remain elevated for the near term—and potentially much longer.  

Large customers like data centers face new regulations requiring them to help manage demand. Meanwhile, supply chain challenges and the rising cost of building new power plants mean relief will not come quickly. 

For Ohio families and businesses, that translates into higher energy bills driven not just by the cost of electricity itself, but also by the rising fees tied to capacity and transmission. 

How to Manage Rising Energy Costs 

While the overall grid picture may feel outside of your control, there are steps you can take to protect yourself from rising prices: 

• Manage Peak Demand: Reducing electricity use during the grid’s highest-demand hours can lower the “tags” that determine a large portion of your bill. 

• Invest in Energy Efficiency: Improvements like upgraded lighting, HVAC, and insulation can cut your overall usage and improve payback in today’s higher-cost environment. 

• Consider Onsite Energy: Solar panels, battery storage, or combined systems like solar-plus-storage can help you generate your own electricity, reduce reliance on the grid, and build resilience. 

• Blend Energy Purchasing Strategies: For businesses, actively managing how and when you purchase energy can help balance costs. 

Why Solar is Part of the Solution 

The forces driving higher grid prices—growing demand, bottlenecks, and expensive new infrastructure—are largely outside of your control. But going solar gives you the ability to take back some of that control. 

By installing a solar energy system, you lock in a portion of your energy costs for decades, protecting your home or business from volatile energy prices. Pairing solar with storage can also help manage peak demand costs (if you’re on a time of use billing plan)  while adding resilience against outages. 

The Bottom Line 

Energy prices in Ohio are rising, and they’re expected to stay elevated for the foreseeable future.  

The combination of increased demand, flat generation resources, market reforms, and grid constraints means higher bills are here to stay. 

But there is good news: you don’t have to face these rising costs unprepared. Investing in energy efficiency and onsite solar generation can help you stabilize your energy expenses, reduce reliance on the grid, and gain more control over your bottom line. 

At Kokosing Solar, we’ve been helping Ohio businesses and homeowners take charge of their energy future for 25 years. If you’re concerned about rising electricity costs, now is the time to explore solar solutions that can protect you long into the future.