Myths vs. facts
Setting the Record Straight
Solar 101 Myths
FACT: Solar power helps strengthen Indiana’s energy grid and provides a reliable, steady source of power, helping keep the lights on and power running for millions of Indiana homes and businesses during extreme weather, from tornadoes to snowstorms. Solar panels are designed to withstand our state’s extreme weather conditions to ensure Hoosiers have reliable power, day or night, rain or shine.
FACT: Here in Indiana and nationwide, an investment in solar photovoltaic energy creates an average of 1.5 times as many jobs as the same investment in fossil fuels would create.
FACT: Solar energy production in Indiana has grown by 600% over the last 14 years as Hoosier families and businesses continue to support home-grown energy. As of 2023, Indiana currently ranks 16th in the nation in terms of installed solar capacity, having moved up by two spots compared to the year before. 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%.
FACT: With 97 in-state solar companies, the solar power industry provides nearly 4,000 jobs for hardworking Hoosiers across the state. Indiana solar jobs are projected to grow by 42.2% over the next five years. Solar power investments in Indiana communities currently total $2.7 billion, helping create jobs and strengthen local economies across the state.
FACT: Representing 99.4% of all Indiana business and employing 43.8% of employees in the state, small businesses are the backbone of Indiana’s economy. Solar tax credits help these small businesses save money through lower energy bills, which allows them to reinvest in themselves and grow their workforce.
FACT: Solar panels can be recycled and used to create more clean energy—or for a number of other purposes—after they have reached their end-of-life phase. Indiana offers multiple public and private opportunities for solar panel recycling—ensuring that more clean energy can be created for the state. Indiana is increasing its solar recycling capabilities with the help of the state government.
FACT: Investments by the solar industry are increasing our ability to manufacture solar products here in the United States. The industry is rapidly scaling up manufacturing across the country, bringing Indiana communities into the fold and building robust American supply chains. For example, 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.
Consumer Myths
FACT: 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. Today, solar power is the cheapest source of electricity in history, providing Hoosier homes, businesses, public institutions, and entire communities with an affordable alternative to fossil fuels. 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, solar power systems installed in Indiana homes can be paid back in less than 13 years.
FACT: Hoosier families, farmers, and businesses are struggling with the rising cost of energy and electricity bills. Solar energy helps lower these costs, while also creating jobs, powering stronger communities, strengthening our economy, and providing a reliable source of energy for Indiana homes and businesses. With solar panels, Indiana residents can save more than $17,000 over 20 years on energy bills with solar panels.
FACT: Rooftop solar increases Indiana property values. Not only does installing solar panels cut electricity costs, but it also can increase home values. Across the country, homes with solar-energy systems sold for 4.1% more on average than comparable homes without solar power.
FACT: Solar energy projects lower energy costs and electricity bills for Indiana families; create good-paying jobs—in construction, engineering, operations, maintenance, and more—for hardworking Hoosiers; and help support local businesses and economies. These projects also strengthen the state’s energy independence. Indiana communities also benefit from increased tax revenue, while households and businesses save money thanks to tax credits that make installing solar systems cheaper.
FACT: Actually, solar power cuts costs for local governments, providing savings that can help fund schools, fire departments, infrastructure, and more. Additionally, solar energy is helping power schools across the state while cutting energy costs. 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.
FACT: Solar panels are safe and play an instrumental role in providing Hoosiers with clean, healthy air. Reducing carbon pollution is key to improving air quality in local communities and solar energy is critical to making that happen.
FACT: There is broad support for clean energy development among Hoosiers. According to a poll, 67% of Indiana voters want leaders who support clean, renewable energy sources like solar.
Farm Lands Myths
FACT: Indiana farmers, ranchers, and landowners can reduce energy bills and make money by leasing unused land for solar energy projects. Across the state, farmers, ranchers, and landowners 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. Agrivoltaics—the use of land for both agriculture and solar energy generation—can also help improve crop yields and productivity, minimize water use, and maximize land use.
FACT: Many solar projects are developed in rural parts of the state, bringing major economic benefits to rural Indiana communities that remain economically challenged. Solar projects provide increased tax revenue, new job creation, and income for local businesses in these communities. Tax revenue from large-scale solar arrays also provides critical funding for rural towns and communities that can support local schools, infrastructure, public services, and other community needs.
FACT: Large-scale solar projects provide economic benefits for both landowners as well as local community members. According to a study by the Purdue Center for Regional Development, 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.
FACT: Solar panels are non-toxic and do not pose any risk to Indianaans, local wildlife and ecosystems, or the land on which solar projects are sited. Solar panels are built using strong encapsulants, such as thick sheets of glass, to house wiring and semiconductors from the outside environment, making it highly unlikely to cause harm to people or animals. Additionally, there is no presence or leaching of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAs) in solar panels, providing further protection to the environment and inhabitants near panels. PFAs are not used in the manufacturing of solar panels.
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