Solar Powers a Stronger Indiana

As of 2023, the solar power industry provides nearly 4,000 jobs for hardworking Hoosiers across the state. Those jobs are expected to triple by 2028.

The solar power industry has driven $2.7 billion worth of investments in Indiana.

Solar power provides Indiana farmers and landowners a reliable source of income while agrivoltaic practices help save water, improve efficiency, maximize land use, and increase crop productivity. Farmers across the state and nationwide have made hundreds of thousands of dollars by working with solar companies and leasing their land for new solar projects. Converting land to a solar farm could help generate around $1,200 to $1,500 per acre per year.

Solar power projects increase tax revenue for Indiana communities, helping support local schools, infrastructure, and other community needs—which is particularly beneficial in our economically challenged, rural regions.  

The price of solar energy in Indiana has fallen by 42% over the last decade, making it more affordable for families and businesses across the Hoosier State. State and federal tax credits, incentives, and other rebates make installing solar energy cheaper than ever before.  

Indiana families and businesses have experienced the hardship of power outages due to extreme weather, from tornadoes to snowstorms. Freezing temperatures, high winds, and other extreme weather events will only continue to further threaten the livelihoods of families, businesses, and electric grids across the state. Solar power has helped millions of Indiana homes and businesses keep their lights on and the power running during extreme weather. 

Indiana residents can save more than $17,000 over 20 years on energy bills with solar panels. With the increased savings from lowered electricity bills and additional incentives such as payment plans, local stipends, net metering, and solar energy system property tax exemptions, systems installed in Indiana homes can be paid back in less than 13 years.

In 2023, the Hoosier State ranked 16th in the nation for installed solar, moving up two spots compared to 2022, with enough capacity to power over 285,000 Indiana homes. Over the next five years, Indiana is projected to grow its solar capacity by 8,727 megawatts—ranking 7th in the nation for projected solar growth—while increasing solar jobs by 42.2%.

A soon-to-be $800 million solar cell manufacturing facility in Jefferson, Indiana, will help create roughly 1,200 jobs in Indiana’s vibrant manufacturing sector while developing the cells that will help power solar energy growth across the country—strengthening domestic supply chains, increasing energy independence, and reducing our nation’s reliance on foreign countries and adversaries to meet our growing energy needs.

Indiana is adding solar panels to over 20 schools in the Indianapolis school district. This investment is expected to save the school district over $45 million over the next 30 years.

A study by the Purdue Center for Regional Development found the average solar project increases the assessed value of land by roughly $11,000 per acre, pays roughly $1 million per year in added property taxes, and helps reduce property tax rates for surrounding community members.