News > Hoosiers advocate for community solar, testify against anti-consumer bill

Hoosiers advocate for community solar, testify against anti-consumer bill

• Stories

February 7, 2025

• Alex Dresdner

Nothing can stop Indiana’s solar supporters – not even sub-zero temperatures. On January 21, over 150 people braved the cold to show up at the state capitol for Renewable Energy Day. Their mission: urge Indiana’s lawmakers to pass legislation to protect solar rights.

Renewable Energy Day, now in its seventh year, unites Hoosiers from around the state to advocate for more sustainable, affordable, and fair energy policies. It’s the largest gathering of environmental and clean energy nonprofits in Indiana. More than 20 local organizations sponsored the event, with a diverse coalition of supporters.

Pro-solar policies are especially needed in Indiana, where nearly half of residents struggle to pay their utility bills. Even worse: growing demand for energy could raise electricity prices for Indiana families. All Hoosiers deserve the freedom to go solar, and all communities deserve to benefit.

Three bills to bring community solar to Indiana

Fueled by hot coffee and donuts, attendees rolled into the state capital on buses from across Indiana. It was a bustling day filled with legislator meetings, advocacy trainings, a committee hearing, and a rally. For some participants, it was the first time they had ever met with their elected officials. Meeting with legislators in small groups made the process more approachable. Advocates toured the capitol building while demonstrating unified support for pro-solar policies. One of these policies is community solar. 

Community solar would open the door to solar for families who can’t install solar panels on their own property. That includes the 30% of Indiana households that rent, along with countless homeowners with shaded properties, aging roofs, or economic barriers to pay for an upfront solar investment. 

With community solar, residents subscribe to a local solar array somewhere in their community – on the library’s roof, in a nearby field, or over the hospital parking lot – and receive a credit for the electricity generated. It’s estimated that community solar could save residents 5-20% on their monthly electric bill, money that families can use to buy groceries, make home repairs, or save for college.  

The good news: Three community solar bills have already been introduced this legislative session (SB 541 by Sen. Spencer, HB 1371 by Rep. Boy, and HB 1581 by Rep. Hamilton). Attendees met with legislators to explain how the bills would benefit their families and communities. 

What’s next for the proposed bills? The next hurdle is to get a committee hearing, and that’s where solar supporters come in. To continue the momentum from Renewable Energy Day, we need lots of solar supporters to tell their representatives: “put community solar on the docket!” 

HB 1007: an anti-consumer bill amidst rising electricity prices

Renewable Energy Day coincided with a hearing of one of the most anti-consumer energy bills in the 2025 legislative session. House Bill 1007 is a give-away to the state’s monopoly utilities. At the core of the sweeping bill’s many provisions, lawmakers want to create new ways for ratepayers to foot the bill for experimental new utility projects that have been expensive failures elsewhere. It further entrenches their outdated model of large, centralized power plants and forces Indiana families to foot the bill. It would set Indiana back from generating clean affordable energy.

Renewable energy supporters voiced their opposition to the bill, loud and clear. The committee meeting was held in the Indiana House Chamber. Sporting peach-colored T-shirts, attendees packed the balcony. Their fellow citizens, experts, and advocacy groups testified against the bill.

Christopher Norrick, Indiana Program Associate for Solar United Neighbors, described HB 1007 as unfair to consumers who have endured ever-rising electricity prices for too long. “Establishing new laws pushes even more financial burden and risk onto my friends and neighbors who have simply had enough,” he stated during the committee hearing. 

Growing the momentum for community solar

The jam-packed day concluded with an energizing rally. Lawmakers and community leaders voiced the urgent need for smart renewable energy policies in 2025. Afterwards, attendees reported feeling empowered and motivated by the power of collective action.

Renewable Energy Day underscores the wide support for solar in Indiana, but there’s still a long way to go. If you’re a Hoosier, you can fight for your energy rights!