Keeping solar projects close to home boosts employee morale for Ohio contractor

A Cincinnati solar contractor, TMI Energy Solutions, is choosing to keep its crews working close to home rather than sending them on long-distance jobs. The company used to take on projects in nearby states, including one in New York a couple years back, but has since scaled that back to focus on commercial solar work in the Cincinnati area, like parking garage canopies and rooftop installs up to a few megawatts in size. The change came after leaders noticed crews were burning out from months on the road, even for in-state travel across Ohio.

This shift is possible partly because Ohio is seeing a lot more solar development. The advocacy group SEIA ranks Ohio as a top-three state for solar deployments in 2026, which means contractors like TMI have more local projects to choose from instead of needing to chase work elsewhere.

For homeowners, this isn't a story about rebates or upgrades you can apply for. It's a sign of how much solar and commercial energy work is picking up in Ohio right now, which can mean more experienced local crews, more competition among installers, and potentially shorter waits for project quotes if you're in the area and considering solar for your own property. It also points to a tight labor market for skilled solar workers, since the company is investing in training and apprentices to keep good workers around for the long haul.