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.
The Economic Effects fo Local Renewable Energy Restrictions
April 8, 2026
Presenter, Brianna Schroeder of Janzen Schroeder Ag Law shared key legal considerations for farmers and landowners.
Solar on Your Farm: Key Insights Before You Sign
March 6, 2026
Presenter, Brianna Schroeder of Janzen Schroeder Ag Law shared key legal considerations for farmers and landowners.
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.
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.
Renewable Energy Workshop - May 12, 2026
Hosted by the Center for Energy Education and Purdue Extension with CN Consulting
Jefferson County, Indiana
Presentations
- The Relationship between Utility-Scale Wind and Solar Farms and Property Values -Dagney Faulk, Ball State University
Renewable Energy Workshop and Bus Tour- April 16, 2026
Hosted by the Center for Energy Education and Purdue Extension with CN Consulting
Starke County, Indiana
Presentations
- State of the Energy Industry - Connie Neininger, CN Consulting
- Local Planning and Permitting - Tamara Ogle, Purdue Extension
- Community Resilience & Agrivoltaics - MARC, Purdue University
Bus Tour
- Development of Mammoth Project - Ed Baptista, Doral
- Agrivoltaics at the Mammoth Site - Chris Kline, Doral; Billy Bope, Starke County farmer
Renewable Energy Workshop and Bus Tour- November 13, 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
- Local Planning and Permitting - Tamara Ogle, Purdue Extension
Bus Tour
- BESS 101
- Cavalry BESS 101 - Adam Fauth, Cavalry Solar
Renewable Energy Workshop - November 5, 2025
Hosted by the Center for Energy Education and Purdue Extension with CN Consulting
Warrick County, Indiana
Presentations
- 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
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
Land Stewardship: Agrivoltaics for Indiana
April 9, 2025
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.
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.
April 7, 2026 - Brief no. 1
Understanding the Economic Effects of Renewable Energy Restrictions: Evidence from Indiana, USA