Note: There are some links to PDFs on this page that might not be accessible to screen readers. For an accessible version, contact ERI at eri@iu.edu or 812-855-8539.
Renewable energy development resources for Hoosier communities
As more Indiana utility companies, businesses, and property owners seek to deploy renewable energy, Hoosier local governments can benefit their communities by making informed decisions that lay the groundwork for growth in solar and wind energy.
ERI offers several resources to help local governments capitalize on clean energy.
Helping Hoosier communities go solar
Since 2016, local governments across Indiana have joined the SolSmart program to prepare for solar energy market growth, with 16 communities designated so far.
SolSmart provides an easy-to-use framework to bring solar best practices to local government processes such as permitting, inspection, and planning as well as government operations, community engagement and market development. ERI is here to support Indiana communities interested in pursuing SolSmart designation.
Past webinars
Webinar recordings are available to view on our YouTube page.
- What's so smart about SolSmart? - October 3, 2023
A model solar ordinance and renewable energy guide
To help local governments create a long-term plan for solar and wind development, ERI and the Great Plains Institute worked with experts and local stakeholders to develop Indiana-specific resources for local decision makers.
Deliverables include:
- A model solar ordinance that provides zoning language for utility-scale and on-site installations. (View a Word version)
- A renewable energy guide offering a long-range perspective on renewable energy markets and development trends.
Additional resources
- The 2020 Indiana Solar Site Pollinator Habitat Planning Scorecard is a starting point to create pollinator-friendly solar projects in Indiana.
- The Michiana Area Council of Governments’ (MACOG) Technical Guide: Establishment and Maintenance of Pollinator-friendly Solar Projects assists landowners, solar developers, and local governments implement pollinator-friendly solar projects by providing best management practices.
- The USEPA Renewable Energy Ready Home Solar Photovoltaic Checklist assists builders in designing and constructing homes equipped with a set of features that make the installation of solar energy systems after the competition of the home's construction easier and less expensive.
- A study published in the journal Ecosystem Services shows pollinator-friendly landscapes on solar developments sequester 65 percent more carbon than traditional solar installations and row crops while also benefiting pollinators.
- The Energy Zoning Database brings together more than 1,600 local ordinances from six Great Lakes states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin)
- City of Goshen - 2017
- City of Plymouth - September 2019
- City of South Bend
- Elkhart County - Amended January 2020
- Fulton County
- Henry County - Proposed
- Lake County - September 2020
- Marshall County - Amended January 2020
- Monroe County - 2015
- Posey County - March 2020
- Pulaski County - December 2019
- Randolph County - July 2020
- Shelby County Unified Development Ordinance - Updated December 2020
- St. Joseph County Renewable Energy Systems - February 2020
- Starke County - June 2019
- Town of Bargersville - September 2020
- Vermillion County - 2020
- White County - January 2019
