Projects
As part of the IN R-STEP program, the collaborative is spearheading research, education, and technical projects. As projects get underway, updates can be found below.
This webinar series hosted by IN-APA and Purdue Extension shares information with community planners and local decision-makers about renewable energy topics.
Indiana Renewables and the Residential Real Estate Market
September 16, 2026
This webinar presents the findings of two technical reports that analyzed the impact of large wind
projects and utility-scale solar projects on nearby residential property values in Indiana. This analysis
used data on the Indiana locations of utility-scale wind or solar projects and homes sold before and after these projects became operational to estimate the impact of these projects on the sale price of homes.
The results of the hedonic regression models and event studies estimated in these reports reveal no
statistically significant aggregate negative effects of large wind or solar projects on home prices in
Indiana.
Presenters:
- Paul Niekemp, PhD, Assistant Professor of Economics, Ball State University
- Dagney Faulk, PhD, Director of Research, Center for Business and Economic Research, Ball State University
Register Here
R-STEP Planning for Battery Energy Storage Systems
July 23, 2026
The trio of presenters will discuss planning for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). During
this session, you will gain a deeper understanding of BESS components and how this technology
is used to sustain grid reliability,including best practices for siting BESS.
Presenters:
- Becca Gillespie, Managing Director, Energy Systems Network
- Tamara Ogle, Community Development Specialist, Purdue Extension
- Kayla Wright, Community Resilience Specialist, Purdue Extension
The Economic Effects of Local Renewable Energy Restrictions
April 8, 2026
Presenter, Michael Hicks of Ball State University, shares key findings from a study examining the economic impacts of renewable energy restrictions in Indiana.
Power, Projects & Planners: A discussion on electricity, large loads and community preparedness
December 17, 2025
Presenters, Rachel Huser, Wabash Valley Power Alliance and Dave Lewallen, Marshall County REMC Commission shared guidance on coordinating with utilities and evaluating energy capacity in local planning.
Indiana Energy Landscape
September 10, 2025
Presenters, Julie Kempf, Indiana Office of Energy Development, and Luke Wilson, Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission shared a look back at what Indiana’s energy needs were, and what energy production and siting opportunities will look like moving forward.
Presentation Slides
- Indiana Energy Landscape: Energy Ready Communities - Julie Kempf, Indiana Office of Energy Development
- Indiana's Energy Landscape - Luke Wilson, Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission
Agrivoltaics
June 23, 2025
Presenters, Jordan Macknick, from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Ty Adley, from the City of Plymouth, IN, and Brian Kortum, from NiSource, cover big-picture trends, utility perspectives, and local regulatory perspectives.
Presentation Slides
- Planing and Land Use Policy for Agrivoltaics - Ty Adley, Planning Director
Introduction to Renewable Energy
April 1, 2025
Presenters, Ryan Hadley, from Indiana Electric Cooperatives, Melissa Wright, from Duke Energy, and Andrew Magner, from EDP Renewables, cover the basics of renewable energy production from project types and energy distribution, to siting decisions and how utilities work with communities.
Presentation Slides
- Duke Energy - Melissa Wright, PMP
- Indiana's Electric System Overview - Ryan Hadley, Director of Policy & Government Relations
- Intro to Renewable Energy - Andrew Magner, Senior Development Manager
R-STEP Kickoff Webinar
December 12, 2025
Indiana’s R-STEP program, led by Purdue Extension Community Development and selected by the U.S. Department of Energy, is spearheading the state’s energy transition initiative. As Indiana moves toward more diverse electricity generation, this collaborative serves as a vital technical resource and community engagement hub to support communities in understanding and implementing utility-scale renewable energy projects. Through partnerships with key organizations, Indiana R-STEP provides comprehensive support through online resources, peer-to-peer networking, educational events, and research products for renewable energy planning. In this webinar, Kara Salazar, Tamara Ogle, and Kayla Wright will share how the collaborative can assist communities in utility-scale renewable energy planning and decision-making and upcoming projects for 2025.
Different Farms, Different Challenges: Stories of Farmers Navigating Change
July 21, 2026
Not all farmers are solving the same problem.
One landowner may be looking for a way to keep the farm in the family. Another may be searching for financial certainty, restoring marginal ground, creating opportunities for their children, or ensuring their land remains productive for years to come.
Yet despite these different challenges, many farmers find themselves considering similar land-use opportunities.
This discussion is not about finding a single answer. It's about understanding the many different questions farmers are trying to answer in the first place.
Featured Speakers:
- Steve Boe, Wisconsin State Director with Farm To Power
- Joe Heinrich, Executive Director of Farm To Power
- Rebekah Pierce, Freelance Writer and Co-owner of J&R Pierce Family Farm
- Kerri Vaughn, Executive Director of Indiana Forward
Land Stewardship: Agrivoltaics for Indiana
April 9, 2026
Agrivoltaics, pairing solar development with active agriculture, offers new pathways for keeping land productive, resilient, and economically viable. This landowner-focused webinar explores how dual-use systems can support long-term farm viability while preserving working lands.
Framed through a land stewardship lens, the conversation will highlight how agrivoltaics can expand land access, create operational flexibility, and strengthen farm resilience, while also opening opportunities for soil health, restoration, and regenerative practices. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how agrivoltaics can complement existing operations, align with landowner goals, and support resilient rural landscapes across Indiana.
Featured Speakers:
- Greg Gunthorp, Owner, Operator of Gunthorp Farms
- Kevin Richardson, Senior Director of the American Solar Grazing Association
Solar on Your Farm: Key Insights Before You Sign
March 6, 2026
Discussion topics include:
- What to look for in a solar lease – Understand important terms and potential pitfalls.
- The permitting process – Learn what steps are involved and how to navigate them.
- Being part of a co-petition – Get insight into what this means and what to expect.
Featured Speaker:
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Brianna Schroeder, Janzen Schroeder Ag Law
- State of the Energy & Agrivoltaics - Connie Neininger, CN Consulting
- Local Planning & Permitting - Kayla Wright, Purdue Extension
- Economic Benefits of Solar Projects - Lee Lewellen, Lewellen Progress Strategies
- The Relationship between Utility-Scale Wind and Solar Farms and Property Values - Dagney Faulk, Ball State University
- Battery Energy Storage Systems - Eric Jung, Northeastern REMC
- Indiana R-STEP Overview - Lisa Dan, Center for Energy Education
- Indiana's Energy Landscape - Luke Wilson, Indiana Office of Energy Development
- The Relationship between Utility-Scale Wind and Solar Farms and Property Values - Dagney Faulk, Ball State University
- Economic Benefits of Solar Projects - Lee Lewellen, Lewellen Progress Strategies
Bus Tour
- Meet Lightsource bp & Bellflower Solar - Joe Bastin & Collin Kennedy, Lightsource bp
- The Relationship between Utility-Scale Wind and Solar Farms and Property Values -Dagney Faulk, Ball State University
- State of the Energy Industry - Connie Neininger, CN Consulting
- Local Planning and Permitting - Tamara Ogle, Purdue Extension
- Community Resilience & Agrivoltaics - MARC, Purdue University
- Development of Mammoth Project - Ed Baptista, Doral
- Agrivoltaics at the Mammoth Site - Chris Kline, Doral; Billy Bope, Starke County farmer
- State of the Energy Industry - Connie Neininger, CN Consulting
- Local Planning and Permitting - Tamara Ogle, Purdue Extension
- BESS 101
- Cavalry BESS 101 - Adam Fauth, Cavalry Solar
- Overview - Lisa Dan, Center for Energy Education
- Economic Benefits of Solar Projects - Lee Lewellen, Lewellen Progress Strategies
- Solar 101 - Connie Neininger, CN Consulting
- Property Values - Dagney Faulk, Ball State University
- Overview - Lisa Dan, Center for Energy Education
- Energy in the U.S. & the Impact of Renewables - Jacob Everrett, Corsa Strategies
- Local Planning and Permitting - Tamara Ogle, Purdue Extension
- Property Values - Dagney Faulk, Ball State University
- Agrivoltaics - Billy Bope, Starke County farmer
- Economic Benefits of Solar Projects - Lee Lewellen, Lewellen Progress Strategies
- Land Use Moratoria - Jamie Palmer, AICP
- Pollinator Friendly and Agrivoltaics Considerations - Ty Adley, AICP
- Zoning Options - Liz Stitzel, Clinton County, IN
- State of the Energy Industry - Julie Kempf, Indiana Office of Energy Development
- Local Planning and Permitting - Tamara Ogle, Purdue Extension
- Economic Impacts of Renewables & Economic Development Agreements - Lee Lewellen, Lewellen Progress Strategies
- Agrivoltaics - Billy Bope, Starke County farmer
- Property Values - Paul Wyman, The Wyman Group
Renewable Energy Workshop and Bus Tour- April 24, 2025
- State of the Energy Industry - Joshua Bain
- Local Planning and Permitting - Tamara Ogle, Purdue Extension
- Economic Impacts of Renewables & Economic Development Agreements - Lee Lewellen, Lewellen Progress Strategies
- Property Values - Dagney Faulk, Ball State University
- Fairbanks Solar Energy Center Fact Sheet
- Overview of Development & Construction - Lance Hoerbert, Fairbanks Solar Energy Center
- State of the Energy Industry- Connie Neininger, CN Consulting
- Overview of Local Planning and Permitting-Tamara Ogle, Purdue Extension
- Agrivoltaics-Sheep Grazing- Billy Bope, Starke County farmer
- Economic Impact of Renewables- Lee Lewellen, Lewellen Progress Strategies
Bus Tour
The Commercial Solar and Wind Energy Ready Communities Development Center through the Indiana Office of Energy Development administers a certification program for communities to become Solar or Wind Energy Certified. The Center’s website includes a Certification Guide and Incentive calculator for communities wanting to learn more.
August 3, 2026
A Hedonic Analysis of Wind Power Facilities in Indiana
A Hedonic Analysis of Large Scale Photovoltaic Project s in Indiana
May 20, 2026
Towards the Economic Effects of Renewable Energy Restrictions: Evidence from Indiana, USA
April 7, 2026 - Brief no. 1
Understanding the Economic Effects of Renewable Energy Restrictions: Evidence from Indiana, USA
2026 Indiana Land Use Summit: Agrivoltaics and Renewable Energy
August 27, 2026 | Beck Agricultural Center