Renewable Energy

Indiana communities are faced with complex decisions related to land-use planning, particularly for renewable energy. This complexity and the unique characteristics of each community result in a patchwork of land use policies across the state. Additionally, many local communities are experiencing an increased interest in solar due to federal, state, and utility incentives. Purdue Extension provides research-based information to support local community planning and decision making.

The Purdue Extension Land Use team and partners identified a state-wide need for research-based information focused on renewable energy and land-use decision making. These resources can be used as a reference for plan directors, plan commission members, and other interested parties. All information and reports should be used for educational purposes only and adapted to each community’s local context, as appropriate. The information is not intended to provide specific recommendations for policies or decisions. Additionally, communities continually update planning and zoning based on new technology and local needs. Contact county planning offices for the most current and complete policies.

To learn more about Renewable Energy, contact:

Tamara M. Ogle 
Community Development Regional Educator
togle@purdue.edu

TEAM

Indiana Renewable Energy Community Planning Study and Ordinance Inventory Summary

In 2021, Purdue Extension’s Land Use Team conducted a comprehensive overview study of land use regulations for wind and solar energy. The report provides a summary of state-wide renewable energy ordinances and county snapshots. This page also includes follow-up reports comparing current county zoning ordinances for commercial wind and solar operations to the voluntary wind and solar-ready community standards adopted by the 2022 Indiana General Assembly.

Wind Energy

A team of researchers from Purdue Extension Community Development, the Purdue Center for Regional Development and the Purdue Department of Agricultural Economics focused on where wind farm projects have and have not been located and examined socio-economic conditions that have resulted since the wind farms were (or were not) installed and made operational.

Upcoming Events

Recent News

Capital Comments
The General Assembly Delivers Some Property Tax Relief

Indiana homeowner tax bills increased 17 percent on average this year, the largest increase in...

Read More
Photo of an eclipse
Looking to the Sky

In 2012, I served as president-elect of the National Association of Community Development...

Read More
Capital Comments
An Extra Billion and a Half in State Revenue

The state revenue forecast upped its prediction of revenues for the rest of this fiscal year and...

Read More
Capital Comments
Property Tax Bills are Increasing a Lot in 2023

Indiana county treasurers soon will mail property tax bills to owners of homes, rental housing,...

Read More
fiber cable
Thinking Broadly About Broadband

Nearly eighty-seven years ago, on May 20, 1936, the Rural Electrification Act was passed. At the...

Read More
pen and paper
Beginner’s Tips for Drafting Grant Budgets

If there’s a phrase from Purdue Extension’s Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing...

Read More