Purdue-based Renewables startup finishes work on Rooftop Solar at Indianapolis Construction offices

May 30, 2023
The project at Abel Construction's offices covers 21,300 square feet and is expected to produce more than 287 MWh of clean electricity annually, equivalent to powering over 39 homes each year

Emergent Solar Energy has completed a 210-kW roof-mounted solar project at Abel Construction Company’s office in Indianapolis near the city’s famous motor speedway.

The project covers 21,300 square feet and is expected to produce more than 287 MWh of clean electricity annually, equivalent to powering over 39 homes each year.

The installation utilizes bifacial solar panels to capture sunlight on both sides and convert it into usable energy. The project is expected to contribute to a significant reduction in carbon emissions, estimated to be equivalent to planting 336 trees annually.

“By adopting this clean energy solution, Abel Construction aims to become a role model within the industry and inspire other businesses to embrace solar energy as a viable and eco-friendly alternative,” Abel said.

The solar project is also expected to offer economic benefits to the construction company. “Through the utilization of solar energy, we will significantly reduce our reliance on traditional electricity sources, resulting in substantial cost savings and long-term financial stability,” Abel noted.

The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act has impacted industry interest in solar energy, according to Jeremy Lipinski, Managing Partner at Emergent Solar Energy.

“The legislation has increased federal tax benefits for businesses making investments in solar energy projects and helping create more compelling project economic returns,” Lipinski said.

Headquartered at Purdue Research Park of West Lafayette, Indiana, Emergent Solar Energy provides solar solutions to the commercial, industrial, municipal, and agricultural sectors across the state of Indiana.

Purdue University is exploring several areas of research and development in clean energy technologies. Last year, it announced a partnership with utility Duke Energy Indiana focused on the possibilities of small, advanced nuclear reactor energy to meet long-term needs on the college campus and  beyond.

About the Author

EnergyTech Staff

Rod Walton is senior editor for EnergyTech.com. He has spent 14 years covering the energy industry as a newspaper and trade journalist.

Walton formerly was energy writer and business editor at the Tulsa World. Later, he spent six years covering the electricity power sector for Pennwell and Clarion Events. He joined Endeavor and EnergyTech in November 2021.

He can be reached at [email protected]

EnergyTech is focused on the mission critical and large-scale energy users and their sustainability and resiliency goals. These include the commercial and industrial sectors, as well as the military, universities, data centers and microgrids.

Many large-scale energy users such as Fortune 500 companies, and mission-critical users such as military bases, universities, healthcare facilities, public safety and data centers, shifting their energy priorities to reach net-zero carbon goals within the coming decades. These include plans for renewable energy power purchase agreements, but also on-site resiliency projects such as microgrids, combined heat and power, rooftop solar, energy storage, digitalization and building efficiency upgrades.