A day before the fall equinox, fourteen Columbus organizations joined together to celebrate the past, present, and future of solar power. On “SunDay” September 21, solar supporters around the country gathered in parks, city halls, homes, and neighborhoods to demonstrate one message: “Solar Power is People Power.”
The Columbus event was held at Corban Commons, an affordable senior living community that has seen significant decreases in its electric bills since installing an Impact Solar array in May of this year.
Corban Commons resident, Kathy Watson, welcomed the audience to the event along with Joe Recchie of Community Renewable Energy. Recchie said, “Solar energy is conservation of our resources, it is utilization of it to support a more equitable environment… and I think it’s an important part of what we all do. I’m also excited that it’s such an intergenerational group today, with very young people and elders like me who are at the table. I appreciate all of that cumulative energy.”
Four speakers highlighted the diversity and innovation of Solar Energy in Ohio. Once an expensive, futuristic alternative, solar energy is now recognized as the cheapest source of electricity.
To highlight utility-scale solar in Ohio, Dan Cech from Open Road Renewables shared his journey combating misinformation while gaining local support for the now-approved Frasier Solar Project in Knox County, OH. Rachel Kutzley shared the potential for collaboration between solar and agriculture. As an Ohio State student, Kutzely interned at the Madison Fields Solar Project where she observed agrivoltaics in action. Finally, Jo Baldwin from Ohio Citizen Action presented on HB 303 which would enable a Community Energy Pilot Program for Ohioans, with the potential to improve grid reliability and reduce energy costs for people who are unable to install solar on their own home or business.
Following the presentations, community members and Corban residents mingled with the tabling organizations and enjoyed light refreshments. Save Ohio Parks and Third Act Ohio teamed up to organize the local Sun Day event.
Visiting organizations included: City resources from Sustainable Columbus and the Columbus Green Spot who distributed children’s books and slow-leak bathroom test kits, National organizations including the League of Conservation Voters and Sierra Club, and local organizations like Columbus Stand Up, Electrify Central Ohio, Buckeye Environmental Network, Columbus Arborfest, and more.
Recchie observed the power of community and the positivity that radiated through the room. He said, “It’s all of the vision that was represented in the inflation reduction act and the advocacy before that, put to play in a state that has a lot of headwinds, a lot of challenges. But challenges are what for all of us in this room, identify as motivation. When challenges are presented, we double down on our motivations, and work collectively to get a great result.”
Corban Commons was the first of many installations by the Impact Solar initiative. This initiative is a result of collaboration between Community Renewable Energy, and the Columbus Partnership’s Clean Energy Ventures, and is made possible with financing by the Columbus Region Green Fund.
SunDay was celebrated across the country, gaining national attention in The New York Times and The Guardian.
Update 09/29/2025: Read about how the SunDay event indicated greater optimism in Columbus Underground’s article.
