Dick Coin is a power pioneer whose electric bill has dipped as low as $10 a month, thanks to the wind turbine and solar panel array on his six-acre spread in Geauga County's Hambden Township.

    Coin, 60, is a chemical engineer who's practicing an earth- and pocketbook-friendly passion for renewable energy.

    But he would never have erected an 85-foot wind turbine or built a solar platform behind his garage without state and federal incentives that cut his $28,800 costs by half.

    That's why he and other renewable-energy advocates are glad Ohio has rolled out a modest, $3.5 million program to encourage the use of wind power and solar-heated hot water at homes and apartments.

    There's meager residential use now of wind and solar in Ohio, because of the expense and myriad other factors.

    But the new program is another step in seeding the growth of a renewable energy industry that could generate thousands of jobs in Ohio, officials say.

    Several studies concluded that our manufacturing base and university-driven research position Ohio as a potential national leader in the renewable energy industry.

    Several thousand Ohioans are already employed at scores of companies that supply parts and expertise for wind and solar manufacturers.

    Using subsidies to boost renewable energy only makes sense, said Aaron Godwin, a renewable-energy consultant.

    "It helps to get more (wind and solar) systems up and running," said Godwin, who's also a board member with Green Energy Ohio. "It's a great building block. We'd love to see (the state) do more."

    In the past, Ohio has been criticized for not putting enough money or manpower into its renewable energy grants program.

    This time around, the state wants certified installers to apply for the wind power grants, rather than homeowners.

    "We're trying for an umbrella effect," said Robert Grevey, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Development's energy office. "An installer could be servicing three to 10 turbine applications, instead of all 10 of those applying separately."

    Installers must apply through the Ohio Department of Development's Ohio Energy Office, on line at www.ohioenergyoffice.ohio.gov.

    For the solar hot water systems, the state is limiting eligibility to apartment buildings or developments of 10 dwellings or more, where water is heated by electricity.

    Customers of Ohio's four investor-owned utilities - First Energy, Duke Energy, American Electric Power and Dayton Power and Light - are eligible for the wind power and solar hot water grants.

    Solar hot water systems "are under-represented in Ohio," said Christina Panoska, energy policy and outreach manager for the Ohio Energy Office. "Ohio could take a leadership role in solar-thermal. We want some really significant projects we can point to and get this underway."

    Solar hot water systems typically move heat from a roof-top panel to a hot water tank, reducing the demand for electricity.

    In recent years, Ohio's renewable energy incentives for the residential market resulted in 17 solar hot-water projects, 31 wind turbines and 88 solar-electric arrays, officials said. (Ohio is expected to announce an incentive program for residential solar-electric projects soon.)

    Ohio is committing $2 million to solar hot water systems, which officials estimate will result in 200 residential projects over the next two years.

    The state is budgeting $1.5 million for wind projects, resulting in 260 turbines, the state estimated.

    Home and property owners who opt for renewable energy would also enjoy federal tax breaks.

    Out in Hambden Township, Coin said he doesn't expect to cover the costs of his wind and solar ventures, even with the state and federal incentives and the low monthly bills.

    He's had a few setbacks, including a loose bolt that caused his wind turbine to topple a few years back.

    It's as much about saving the environment as saving bucks, in Coin's mind. He owns a car powered with electricity and heats his home with a wood-pellet stove.

    Reducing the need for fossil fuels means less pollution, he said.

    "As long as we generate more renewable energy and make it more economical and get more people involved, the better off we'll be," Coin said.