WRTV in Indianapolis recently ran a great story about how Indiana’s funding from the Solar for All program will be used by the city to build a community solar on the Southeast side:

“The main idea of community solar is that it creates equitable access to solar projects,” Lindsay Trameri with the Indianapolis Office of Sustainability said. “The energy doesn’t have to be created in and produced on your property. A lot of people, for a variety of reasons, aren’t great candidates for roof top solar.”

WRTV, April 2024, “City of Indianapolis expanding access to solar energy through federal grants”

Community solar allows property owners who can’t install solar panels on their own roof to subscribe to a solar field and receive a discount on their energy bill. This is a great option for people who rent their homes or who don’t have a suitable that’s suitable for solar panels.

The financial assistance program will help low- and middle-income Indianapolis residents overcome the upfront costs of installing solar panels on their homes. This will make solar energy more affordable for a wider range of people.

These programs are funded by grants from the Inflation Reduction Act, a recently passed federal law that is making significant investments in clean energy. This is a sign of the growing momentum behind solar energy in the United States.

Indianapolis’ solar expansion project is a great example of how cities can take advantage of federal funding to make solar energy more accessible to all residents. If other cities in Indiana follow suit, it could spark a community solar movement across the state.

Here are some additional benefits of community solar:

• Community solar can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
• Community solar can create jobs in the solar industry.
• Community solar can help to improve air quality.

By making solar energy more accessible to residents, we can create a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for all.