1. (a) A unit may apply to the office for certification as a commercial solar energy ready community. The application must be in a form and manner prescribed by the office. Subject to section 12(c) of this chapter, the office may approve an application and certify a unit as a commercial solar energy ready community if the office determines the following:

   1. (1) That the unit has adopted a commercial solar regulation that includes clear standards for the construction, installation, siting, modification, operation, or decommissioning of one (1) or more commercial solar energy systems (as defined in IC 8-1-42-2 ) in the unit.

   2. (2) That the unit's commercial solar regulation:

      1. (A) includes standards that are not more restrictive, directly or indirectly, than the default standards for commercial solar energy systems set forth in IC 8-1-42 ;
      2. (B) provides a clear and transparent process for project owners to identify potential commercial solar project sites;
      3. (C) does not unreasonably eliminate portions of the unit as sites for commercial solar projects;
      4. (D) provides for a fair review and approval process for proposed commercial solar projects, including final approval that cannot be revoked; and

      5. (E) includes a specific plan for using any funds from an incentive granted by the office under subsection (d):

         1. (i) for economic development purposes within or near the commercial solar project's footprint; or
         2. (ii) to otherwise benefit residents and businesses within or near the commercial solar project's footprint.

   3. (3) That the unit has demonstrated a commitment to maintain:

      1. (A) the standards and procedural framework set forth in the unit's commercial solar regulation; and

      2. (B) all applicable zoning, land use, and planning regulations;

         with respect to any particular commercial solar project that is approved under the unit's commercial solar regulation, for a period of at least ten (10) years, beginning with the start date of the commercial solar project's full commercial operation or the date of the office's certification of the unit under this section, whichever is later.

2. (b) If a unit has not adopted a commercial solar regulation, the unit may apply to the office for certification as a commercial solar energy ready community. The application must be in a form and manner prescribed by the office. Subject to section 12(c) of this chapter, the office may approve an application and certify a unit as a commercial solar energy ready community if the office determines the following:

   1. (1) That the unit has clear standards for the construction, installation, siting, modification, operation, or decommissioning of one (1) or more commercial solar energy systems (as defined in IC 8-1-42-2 ) in the unit.

   2. (2) That the unit's clear standards:

      1. (A) are not more restrictive, directly or indirectly, than the default standards for commercial solar energy systems set forth in IC 8-1-42 ;
      2. (B) provide a clear and transparent process for project owners to identify potential commercial solar project sites;
      3. (C) do not unreasonably eliminate portions of the unit as sites for commercial solar projects;
      4. (D) provide for a fair review and approval process for proposed commercial solar projects, including final approval that cannot be revoked; and

      5. (E) include a specific plan for using any funds from an incentive granted by the office under subsection (d):

         1. (i) for economic development purposes within or near the commercial solar project's footprint; or
         2. (ii) to otherwise benefit residents and businesses within or near the commercial solar project's footprint.
   3. (3) That the unit has demonstrated a commitment to maintain its clear standards for a period of at least ten (10) years, beginning with the start date of the commercial solar project's full commercial operation or the office's certification of the unit under this section, whichever is later.

3. (c) For purposes of subsection (b), the office may consider one (1) or more of the following as evidence of a unit's clear standards with respect to the construction, installation, siting, modification, operation, or decommissioning of one (1) or more commercial solar energy systems (as defined in IC 8-1-42-2 ) in the unit:

   1. (1) A contract or an otherwise binding agreement between the unit and a project owner.
   2. (2) An economic development agreement.
   3. (3) Any other documentation that the office determines provides sufficient evidence of the unit's clear standards.

4. (d) If:

   1. (1) a unit receives certification as a commercial solar energy ready community by the office under this section;
   2. (2) after the unit's certification, a commercial solar project is constructed or has been constructed in the unit; and

   3. (3) the fund is established and there is a sufficient balance in the fund;

      the office may authorize the unit to receive from the fund, for a period of ten (10) years beginning with the start date of the commercial solar project's full commercial operation or the date of the office's certification of the unit under this section, whichever is later, one dollar ($1) per megawatt hour of electricity generated by the commercial solar project, if the office determines that the procedures and standards set forth in the unit's commercial solar regulation under subsection (a) or the unit's clear standards under subsection (b), as applicable, were adhered to in the development of the project. However, if the office determines at any time after the start of the commercial solar project's full commercial operation that the unit has failed to continue to meet the requirement for certification set forth in subsection (a)(3) or (b)(3), as applicable, the office shall discontinue the incentive granted under this subsection and shall require the unit to return to the fund any amounts collected by the unit under this subsection after the unit's breach of the requirement for certification set forth in subsection (a)(3) or (b)(3), as applicable.

5. (e) After:

   1. (1) a unit receives certification as a commercial solar energy ready community under this section; and

   2. (2) a project owner constructs a commercial solar project that qualifies the unit to receive the incentive payments under subsection (d);

      the project owner shall annually report to the office the total megawatt hours generated by the commercial solar project in the previous year.

As added by P.L.50-2023, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.9-2024, SEC.37; P.L.87-2024, SEC.4.