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.
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
- Agrivoltaics at NIPSCO - Brian Kortum, Director of Natural Resources Planning
- 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.
Renewable Energy Workshop and Bus Tour- August 14, 2025
Hosted by the Center for Energy Education and Purdue Extension with CN Consulting
Clinton & Tipton Counies, Indiana
Presentations
- 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
Renewable Energy Workshop and Bus Tour- June 2, 2025
Hosted by the Center for Energy Education and Purdue Extension with CN Consulting
Randolph County, Indiana
Presentations
- 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
Hosted by the Center for Energy Education and Purdue Extension with CN Consulting
Sullivan County, Indiana
Presentations
- 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
Bus Tour
- Fairbanks Solar Energy Center Fact Sheet
- Overview of Development & Construction - Lance Hoerbert, Fairbanks Solar Energy Center
Renewable Energy Workshop and Bus Tour- March 4, 2025
Hosted by the Center for Energy Education and Purdue Extension with CN Consulting
White County, Indiana
Presentations
- 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.