Solar Energy in Indiana (2026)
17 rules on the books across Indiana, 14 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Panel Permits
Permits required for installing rooftop or ground-mounted solar panels, including electrical inspections and interconnection approvals.
Indiana: statewide
StatewideFew RestrictionsIndiana Code 8-1-40 governs distributed generation interconnection statewide. While solar permitting remains primarily…
Read full rule →Vanderburgh County
Significant RestrictionsA commercial-scale solar project in Vanderburgh County, community-scale or large-scale, must go through the Area Plan…
Read full rule →Bloomington
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Bloomington, a ground- or building-mounted solar collector is an accessory use permitted in every zoning…
Read full rule →Evansville
Some RestrictionsEvansville lets homeowners install on-site solar panels without an improvement location permit, as long as the system…
Read full rule →Greenwood
Some RestrictionsGreenwood's Unified Development Ordinance, Sec. 10-03-16(P), allows solar arrays as an accessory use on residential…
Read full rule →Hendricks County
Some RestrictionsHendricks County requires an application review and inspection permit before installing ground mounted or roof mounted…
Read full rule →Howard County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Howard County, rooftop and ground-mounted solar panels are a permitted accessory use in every zoning…
Read full rule →Indianapolis
Some RestrictionsIndianapolis zoning treats rooftop and ground-mounted solar arrays as an accessory use under Sec. 743-306.CC…
Read full rule →Laporte County
Some RestrictionsLaPorte County charges a building permit fee for solar panel installations in the unincorporated county under §…
Read full rule →Noblesville
Some RestrictionsThe City of Noblesville regulates rooftop and ground-mounted solar panels as an accessory structure under § 159.121…
Read full rule →Porter County
Some RestrictionsPorter County requires a building permit from the county building commissioner, issued through the Department of…
Read full rule →South Bend
Some RestrictionsSouth Bend treats a solar array as electrical equipment requiring a Building Department permit before installation…
Read full rule →St. Joseph County
Some RestrictionsEvery solar energy system in unincorporated St. Joseph County, rooftop, facade or ground-mounted, needs a county…
Read full rule →Tippecanoe County
Some RestrictionsA large-scale solar farm in Tippecanoe County, defined as a ground-mounted array of ten acres or more built to sell…
Read full rule →Wayne County
Some RestrictionsHomeowners installing solar panels in unincorporated Wayne County, Indiana need county permits before work starts…
Read full rule →HOA Restrictions
State and local laws that limit what HOAs can restrict when it comes to solar panel installation, placement, and appearance.
Expedited Solar Permitting
California SB-379 (and equivalent laws) requiring cities to offer same-day or near-same-day automated solar permits, plus SolarAPP+ adoption.