Commercial Solar and Wind Energy Ready Communities Development Center
- OED
- Indiana's Energy Policy
- Current: Energy Ready Communities Development Center
Energy Ready Community Certification
Established by Indiana Code 4-3-23.1 through Senate Enrolled Act 390 (2023) as amended House Enrolled Act 1278 (2024), the Commercial Solar and Wind Energy Ready Communities Development Center is housed within the Indiana Office of Energy Development. The Center provides information regarding wind and solar energy development, as well as administers a certification program for communities to be designated as a Commercial Solar Energy Ready Community, a Wind Energy Ready Community, or both. Download the certification guide below and click on the tabs above to learn how to become certified as an Energy Ready Community.
Once a community is certified, it is eligible to receive incentive funds from OED as authorized by IC 4-3-23.1, should incentive funds be available and have sufficient balance. Incentive funds may be granted for a period of ten years at $1 per megawatt hour of electricity generated. Although no incentive funds are available at this time, if you are interested in how much that might mean for your community, check out the incentive calculator below.
Additional Resources - Reports and Studies
In partnership with Purdue Extension Community Development and the Lugar Center for Renewable Energy at IUPUI, the Indiana OED has developed resources for communities interested in learning more about wind and solar development.
County Zoning Ordinances for Commercial Solar/Wind Compared to Indiana's Energy Ready Community Standards (Purdue Extension Community Development)
Good Questions Project: Understanding Energy Project Development in Indiana (Lugar Center for Renewable Energy)
Indiana Rural Energy Tours
Since 2022, OED has hosted rural energy tours throughout the state highlighting the diversity of energy resources that power the Hoosier state. The tours showcase many examples of rural energy opportunities, including tours of wind farms, solar farms, anaerobic digesters, an ethanol plant, and a petroleum refinery. OED has highlighted projects across the state, from White County to Posey County. Stay tuned for more information about next year's Rural Energy Tours.
This page provides information for communities interested in being certified as a Commercial Solar Energy Ready Community, including the application and requirements for certification. Download the application form and the certification guide below. For questions and technical assistance, reach out to OED at EnergyReady@oed.in.gov.
Application - Commercial Solar Energy Ready Community
How to Apply
Applications are accepted and reviewed year-round, allowing communities time to develop their local standards and to apply when they are ready. Once submitted, the process for review and designation is estimated to take an average of 60 to 90 days depending on the complexity of the local unit standards and if follow up with applicants is needed prior to designation determination.
The application consists of the following information:
- Applicant information
- Local commercial solar energy project standards
- Procedural standards for commercial solar energy project review and approval
- Affirmation and demonstration of commitment to commercial solar energy
- Supporting documentation, including letters of support
Eligible Communities
In accordance with IC 8-1-42-8, eligible communities include county and municipal units of government.
Local Commercial Solar Standards
In order to become certified as a Commercial Solar Energy Ready Community, your community must adopt commercial solar standards that includes clear standards for the construction, installation, siting, modification, operation, and decommissioning of one or more commercial solar energy systems in the community. This can be in the form of regulations, contracts, or economic development agreements. Review the certification guide for more information.
The county or municipal commercial solar standards must include:
- Standards that are not more restrictive, directly or indirectly, than the default standards outlined in IC 8-1-42.
- A clear and transparent process to identify potential commercial solar project sites.
- Does not unreasonably eliminate portions of the community for commercial solar projects.
- A fair review and approval process with a final approval that cannot be revoked.
- A specific plan for how incentive funds granted by the Center will be used for economic development within or near the project's footprint or to otherwise benefit residents and businesses within or near the project's footprint.
Demonstration of Commitment
As a part of the certification, the community must demonstrate a commitment, of at least 10 years from the project's start date of full commercial operation or the date of certification, whichever is later, to:
- Maintain the standards and procedural framework established in your community's commercial solar power regulation and/or standards, and
- Maintain all applicable zoning, land use, and planning regulations.
If changes to the local standards occur, the designated community must notify OED within 30 days. OED also reserves the right to review a designated community’s standards at its discretion after initial certification to ensure compliance with certification requirements.
This page provides information for communities interested in being certified as a Wind Energy Ready Community, including the application and requirements for certification. Download the application form and the certification guide below. For questions and technical assistance, reach out to OED at EnergyReady@oed.in.gov.
Application - Wind Energy Ready Community
How to Apply
Applications are accepted and reviewed year-round, allowing communities time to develop their local standards and to apply when they are ready. Once submitted, the process for review and designation is estimated to take an average of 60 to 90 days depending on the complexity of the local unit standards and if follow up with applicants is needed prior to designation determination.
The application consists of the following information:
- Applicant information
- Local wind energy project standards
- Procedural standards for wind energy project review and approval
- Affirmation and demonstration of commitment to wind energy
- Supporting documentation, including letters of support
Eligible Communities
In accordance with IC 8-1-41-6, eligible communities include county and municipal units of government.
Local Wind Energy Standards
In order to become certified as a Wind Energy Ready Community, your community must adopt wind power standards that include clear standards for the construction, installation, siting, modification, operation, and decommissioning of one or more wind energy systems in the community. This can be in the form of regulations, contracts, or economic development agreements. Review the certification guide for more information.
The county or municipal wind power standards must include:
- Standards that are not more restrictive, directly or indirectly, than the default standards outlined in IC 8-1-41.
- A clear and transparent process to identify potential wind power project sites.
- Does not unreasonably eliminate portions of the community for wind power projects.
- A fair review and approval process with a final approval that cannot be revoked.
- A specific plan for how incentive funds granted by the Center will be used, for economic development within or near the project's footprint or to otherwise benefits residents and businesses within or near the project's footprint.
Demonstration of Commitment
As a part of the certification, the community must demonstrate a commitment, of at least 10 years from the project's start date of full commercial operation or the date of certification, whichever is later, to:
- Maintain the standards and procedural framework established in your community's wind power regulation and/or standards, and
- Maintain all applicable zoning, land use, and planning regulations.
If changes to the standards occur, the designated community must notify OED within 30 days. OED also reserves the right to review a designated community’s standards at its discretion after initial certification to ensure compliance with certification requirements.