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Exciting as it might be to run with the wave of momentum that advanced nuclear power has right now, we must be clear-eyed: There’s no new nuclear that will meet energy needs in the next few years. It’s simply still in development.
That’s why today I dedicate my column to sorting through Indiana’s complicated relationship with solar power—the one energy form whose costs have long been falling, whose ability to scale is rising, and the one Elon Musk constantly insists we should bet on: “Solar power is very obviously the future if you can do elementary math.”
If there were ever a time to fix our relationship, now is the time.
On one hand, Indiana has many bright spots around this evolving energy tech. In 2024, we had one of the highest state installations of solar, including finishing Phase One of Mammoth Solar—one of the nation’s largest projects. We are home to one of the nation’s relatively few made-in-America solar manufacturers, Bila Solar. Purdue University’s formidable research capacity is helping increase yields with nanophotonics and reimagining farms and solar with agrivoltaics.
Anecdotally, too, one of the few American billionaires to come out of the solar business is a son of Gary, Indiana: Dean Solon, who is now leading a charge to reinvent U.S. solar manufacturing. Former Gov. Eric Holcomb’s first move post-tenure was to join the board of a major solar company. And if you drive out of the Indianapolis airport, you’ll pass one of the largest airport solar installations in the country.
On the other hand, solar has been a political lightning rod. Year in and year out, Hoosiers from across the state band together to oppose solar and wind, obstructing legislation at the state level and projects at the county and local levels. The laws on the books tilt the scales against homeowners who want to sell homegrown rooftop solar onto the grid. Solar has become so toxic, many politicians will not touch it.
The concerns around this tech deserve clarity and space—the effects of converting farmland, the financial viability of projects, the fairness of having solar in your community—but today, I’m asking people to step back, pause and consider three big, foundational reasons to rethink solar in our current moment.
First, immediate demand spikes. In the next few years, additional energy demand can really only be met by gas, solar, wind and storage. We’re not building coal, hydro or nuclear. It would be backward not to feature solar—smartly—in that portfolio, especially given widely reported supply-chain problems for gas-plant parts.
Second, innovation. The public often underestimates the power of innovation—especially American innovation in an energy crunch. Solar and battery technologies keep improving, from inverters to better storage.
Third, China. We can’t lose the AI arms race for lack of energy. Further, China is scaling solar at breathtaking speed—projecting annual capacity additions by the end of decade that will exceed the energy the United States generates in a single year. We can’t discard this next-gen energy tech while it’s on the rise globally.
As I would with any energy source, I’m arguing for a real, honest conversation, because the stakes and potential are so high. There’s a great evolution happening in the energy and tech space, so I urge our leaders to think like clear-eyed energy strategists. Speak openly with the public about the trade-offs—as well as the promise—of this technology, and get creative with how we bring about—and where we place—this growing tech.•
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Gemelas is chief operating officer at Climate Solutions Fund, outstanding fellow of Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation and a proud Greek-American. Send comments to [email protected].
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