Thursday, Aug 27, 2026

Agenda for the Indiana Land Use Summit
Time Details
9:00AM Registration and networking
10:00AM
Overview of day and welcome
 
Speakers: Kara Salazar, Angie Abbott (Purdue Extension), Lynne Dahmen (Purdue Institute for a Sustainable Future)
10:15AM
Project updates
 
Indiana Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (IN R-STEP) Research and Engagement Overview  
Speakers: Kara Salazar, Tamara Ogle and Dagney Faulk
 
This session highlights the progress of the IN R-STEP project, including results from the statewide needs assessment, ordinance inventory research, and property value analyses to support informed local decision-making and community planning for renewable energy development.
 
Midwest Agrivoltaics for Resilient Communities (MARC) Research and Engagement Overview  
Speakers: Aaron Thompson, Dan Chavas, Juan Sesmero and Xiaonan Lu
 
This session highlights the progress of the MARC project, including findings from statewide community focus groups on solar and agrivoltaics and the development of models of farm economic and rural energy resilience to extreme weather, to support informed local decision-making and community planning for agrivoltaics across Indiana and the Midwest.
11:30AM
Breakout session discussions
 
Track 1 – IN R-STEP
Multipurpose Room 143
 
1 A - Energy Storage Systems
Speakers: Kayla Wright and Becca Gillespie
 
This session will cover the basics of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), including components, specifications, value proposition, industry players, and design and deployment standards. Additionally, it will delve deeper into siting considerations, including examples of existing BESS ordinances and standards.
 
1 B - Regulatory Tools and Planning Practices
Speakers: Tamara Ogle, Jamie Palmer and Dan Walker
 
Local officials face a growing number of proposals for siting utility-scale wind and solar energy projects. The specialized nature of these developments and accompanying public controversy can be daunting. Join us to gain practical insights into current state law and strategies for addressing these land uses in your zoning ordinance and related local policies.
 
Track 2 – MARC
Classroom Room 111
 
2 A - Agrivoltaics Siting and Design
Speakers: Aaron Thompson and Kara Salazar  
 
This session presents findings from regional Indiana focus groups that engaged diverse stakeholders to explore the acceptance of agrivoltaics and utility-scale solar. Participants will contribute to an interactive visualization activity to assess design concepts, land use considerations, opportunities and barriers. We will also discuss insights to inform local planning, zoning and community decision-making on integrating agriculture with renewable energy systems.
 
2 B - Energy and Economic Resilience of Agrivoltaics
Speakers: Dan Chavas, Juan Sesmero and Xiaonan Lu  
 
This session will discuss the potential role of agrivoltaics in making our communities and energy grid more resilient to extreme weather, and how Midwest Agrivoltaics for Resilient Communities (MARC) is working to understand the potential economic and energy resilience benefits at local and statewide scales.
12:30PM
Breakout session discussions
 
Track 1 – IN R-STEP
Multipurpose Room 143
 
1 A - Energy Storage Systems
Speakers: Kayla Wright and Becca Gillespie
 
This session will cover the basics of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), including components, specifications, value proposition, industry players, and design and deployment standards. Additionally, it will delve deeper into siting considerations, including examples of existing BESS ordinances and standards.
 
1 B - Regulatory Tools and Planning Practices
Speakers: Tamara Ogle, Jamie Palmer and Dan Walker
 
Local officials face a growing number of proposals for siting utility-scale wind and solar energy projects. The specialized nature of these developments and accompanying public controversy can be daunting. Join us to gain practical insights into current state law and strategies for addressing these land uses in your zoning ordinance and related local policies.
 
Track 2 – MARC
Classroom Room 111
 
2 A - Agrivoltaics Siting and Design
Speakers: Aaron Thompson and Kara Salazar  
 
This session presents findings from regional Indiana focus groups that engaged diverse stakeholders to explore the acceptance of agrivoltaics and utility-scale solar. Participants will contribute to an interactive visualization activity to assess design concepts, land use considerations, opportunities and barriers. We will also discuss insights to inform local planning, zoning and community decision-making on integrating agriculture with renewable energy systems.
 
2 B - Energy and Economic Resilience of Agrivoltaics
Speakers: Dan Chavas, Juan Sesmero and Xiaonan Lu  
 
This session will discuss the potential role of agrivoltaics in making our communities and energy grid more resilient to extreme weather, and how Midwest Agrivoltaics for Resilient Communities (MARC) is working to understand the potential economic and energy resilience benefits at local and statewide scales.
2:00PM Conclude sessions
2:20PM
Networking and tour
 
Agrivoltaics Research Platform (AgPV), Purdue Agronomy Center for Research and Education (ACRE)
Speakers: Juan Sesmero and Geoff Sanchez
 
Visit the AgPV, showcasing Purdue’s research on integrating solar energy with crop production. Participants will travel a short distance by bus to the ACRE facility and engage in a 30-minute discussion and walking tour. The tour will cover the history of AgPV, its implementation, and considerations for Indiana's farmland, providing insights into installing and managing solar development on farmland to ensure continued operational success. Structured networking opportunities will take place in small groups before and after the bus tour.
4:00PM Conclude tour and depart