INDIANA — On Tuesday, hundreds of advocates, community leaders, and business owners from across Indiana gathered at the Indiana Statehouse for Renewable Energy Day 2026. The annual day of action comes as the Indiana General Assembly considers policies regarding the state’s energy transition, reliability, and rising utility costs.
Participants spent the day meeting with legislators to advocate for a homegrown energy future that includes community energy and plug-in solar. The event highlights the growing demand for renewable options that offer Hoosiers greater energy freedom—the ability to generate their own power—while ensuring the state’s grid remains reliable, and costs remain affordable.
The day’s activities include a clean energy fair featuring Indiana-based businesses and nonprofits, along with a public rally held on the Statehouse floors, where the following speakers delivered remarks:
State Sen. Greg Walker (R-Columbus) said, “If you want to develop energy for your own rooftop, your own property, I think that’s great. And I think that’s what we ought to do, is look for local generation and local solutions.”
State Sen. Shelli Yoder (D-Bloomington) said, “Thank you for making another trip to the Statehouse, for advancing important legislation and informing your elected representatives and senators what’s at stake and what you need in order to bring down our utility rates. Renewable energy is a partner in that goal.”
Zach Schalk, Indiana Program Director, Solar United Neighbors, said, “Renewable energy today is reducing pollution, lowering energy costs, and creating family-sustaining jobs and careers right here in Indiana. Wind, solar, battery storage: These are no longer alternative energy sources.”
Breanna Reed, Bee-Ewe-tiful Farms (Walkerton, Indiana) said, “For me, solar grazing represents the future of agriculture, one where renewable energy and livestock work together, not against each other. It shows farming doesn’t have to look the way it always has to be successful. Innovation, adaptability, and partnerships can open new doors for farmers like me.”
Wei-Tai Kwok, Head of US Operations, Bila Solar (headquartered in Indianapolis) said, “The reason we came here was that Indiana, as you know, is centrally located in our country. There’s also a very skilled manufacturing base here, even though nobody we’ve hired has any solar experience, but the workforce here has worked in automotive, medical device, pharmaceutical, food—and those are transferable skills into our factory and our industry.”
As energy demand continues to rise across the Midwest, advocates at today’s event are urging the General Assembly to:
- Promote solutions that allow Hoosiers to embrace energy freedom, including community energy and plug-in solar.
- Protect and expand the rights of residents and property owners to embrace local solar and wind.
- Prioritize renewable solutions that reduce long-term costs compared to traditional fossil fuel investments.
ABOUT RENEWABLE ENERGY DAY
Renewable Energy Day is an annual non-partisan event designed to connect Indiana residents with their elected officials to discuss the benefits of a transition to clean, renewable energy. By focusing on economic growth and energy independence, the coalition works to ensure Indiana remains a leader in the 21st-century energy economy.
RENEWABLE ENERGY DAY 2026 SPONSORS
- BiLA Solar
- Black Sun Light Sustainability
- Citizens’ Climate Lobby Indiana
- Michigan City Commission on Sustainability
- Earth Charter Indiana
- edp (EDP Renewables)
- Electrify Indiana
- Energy Harness
- energyRe
- Faith in Place
- Geenex
- Hoosier Environmental Council
- Hoosier Electric Vehicle Association
- Indiana Conservation Voters
- Indiana Energy Independence Fund
- Land & Liberty Coalition
- League of Women Voters of Indiana
- Orion Renewable Energy Group LLC
- Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter
- Solar Energy Solutions
- Solar United Neighbor
- Westfield Green Together
