Randolph County, IN — Solar Development Risk Assessment

No Moratorium

Setback requirements established in Article XIX Solar Energy Systems Siting Regulations (adopted Jul 24 2020, unanimous 3-0). Groundcover requirement: native meadow grasses and pollinator-friendly wildflower forbs/clover (first Indiana county). Applies to Riverstart Solar Park (1,400+ acres, EDP Renewables).

Randolph County Area Plan Commission (APC): CUP or Improvement Location Permit (ILP) in Agricultural district.

Highly resistant / community backlash / ongoing litigation

Project outcomes; Policy signal (ordinance overhaul); Public opposition; litigation

Worsening

Local permit: Special Exception (SE) in A-1 Agricultural zoning via county Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA); some counties use two-step process (Plan Commission recommendation + BZA approval). BZA SE is the standard county-level pathway for all utility-scale solar. IURC CPCN: Indiana Code §8-1-8.5 — IURC Certificate of Public Convenience & Necessity (Cause No.) required for generating facilities >80 MW; process runs parallel to county BZA SE and does not replace it. IURC approval does NOT override a county BZA denial except where federal jurisdiction applies (see Mammoth Solar / Pulaski County precedent, 2023). IC 36-7-4: Indiana Code §36-7-4 limits how restrictive county ordinances can be for solar; basis for developer preemption litigation against overly restrictive ordinances (Randolph County 2024 litigation pending). SB 411 (2022): Voluntary 'solar-ready county' designation for counties meeting solar-friendly siting standards. SB 390 (2023): $1/MWh financial incentive for solar-ready counties.

Indiana Renewable Energy law (IURC): no Renewable Portfolio Standard — Indiana repealed its RPS (HB 1271, effective 2023). Net metering: available for ≤1 MW retail customer generation (IURC regulated utilities); Indiana Michigan Power (AEP), Duke Energy Indiana, Vectren/CenterPoint, NIPSCO offer programs. IURC CPCN: required for generating facilities ≥80 MW. HEA 1381 (2022): counties retain siting authority for solar in unincorporated areas. No state cash incentive program for solar. Utility: Duke Energy Indiana serves central/eastern IN; NIPSCO (NiSource) serves NW IN (Cook/Lake/Porter); Indiana Michigan Power (AEP) serves northeastern IN; Vectren/CenterPoint serves SW IN; REMC cooperatives serve rural areas.

Riverstart Solar Park | ~1,400 acres | CUP APPROVED by Randolph County APC | Ordinance required planting in meadow grasses, wildflowers, or clover — expected to reverse shrinking native bee populations (IBJ Apr 9 2022). Showcased as example of solar-agriculture coexistence. Source: Indianapolis Business Journal ibj.com Apr 9 2022

No confirmed denials on record as of Mar 2026.