Skip to main content

Brightfields for a Brighter Future: Solar Potential Analysis for the City of Muncie

AG5I1908.jpg

Brightfields for a Brighter Future: Solar Potential Analysis for the City of Muncie

Faculty Recipient: Sanglim Yoo (Urban Planning) 

Partner: Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter, Indianapolis Indiana 

Solar power can provide clean, renewable energy to run communities across Indiana, but how does a municipality assess its needs and develop realistic plans to utilize these technologies most effectively? In partnership with the Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter, Dr. Yoo and her PLAN 203 students assessed, analyzed, and evaluated the energy production potential of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) panel installations on buildings owned by the City of Muncie, electric grid-connected solar PV installations on brownfield properties, and for off-grid community solar installations. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques, the students performed land use analysis. They estimated the solar production potentials for various Muncie locations following the National Renewable Energy Laboratory guidelines of the U.S. Department of Energy. Virtual tours, interactive maps, and analysis reports provided detailed information about sites and their proposed solar installations. ArcGIS Story Mapping technology was also used, creating user experiences to tell remarkable stories about the project. 

Even though the pandemic posed many unexpected restrictions and obstacles, Dr. Yoo found ways to keep the Sierra Club actively engaged with the students throughout the semester. The finished products were shared digitally and on Zoom with the partner, Muncie Action Plan, Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour, Delaware-Muncie Metropolitan Planning Commission, and the Center for Energy Education. In addition, the Sierra Club used the student's work in its Beyond Coal Campaign activities and evidence-based advocacy when they met with community members, elected officials, and stakeholder meetings with the utility company. Likewise, this information was helpful when the City of Muncie decided to purchase the former GM site for utility-scale solar development. The Brightfields project provided valuable hands-on technical and communication opportunities for second-year urban planning students, preparing them for future study and work in the industry. 

Dr. Yoo received a Provost Immersive Learning Pilot Grant to implement this project. 

Brightfields for a Brighter Future: Solar Potential Analysis for the City of Muncie