Solar Energy Structures Planned for Indianapolis Headquarters

How we operate our business today can have a long-lasting impact on people and the planet. Making medicines requires using valuable resources, including energy, water, and raw materials. To be good stewards of these resources, we are working to expand our use of renewable electricity on our way to achieving our goal of carbon neutrality in our own operations by 2030.

We're investing more than $10 million to build five new solar structures at our two Indianapolis campuses—the largest investment in solar power in the downtown area.

The solar structures are designed to have a size of 3.0 MW (Megawatts), which will produce approximately 3.9 GWh (Gigawatt-hours) annually. To put that into context, 1 GWh can power approximately 100 homes.

The Indianapolis project is slated to include installation of three rooftop arrays beginning late 2023 at Lilly Corporate Center parking structures. Construction of two solar parking canopies at the Lilly Technology Center is targeted to begin in late 2024.

The solar structures are expected to help reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, extend our ongoing efforts to minimize our carbon footprint and work toward carbon neutrality.

Solar structures have been erected at several of our global manufacturing sites, allowing us to decrease our environmental impact while producing medicines that significantly impact people's lives. 

“As we continue to grow as a company – both through our pipeline and our physical footprint – we’re committed to integrating sustainability into our business,” said Victor Cruz, sr. vice president – corporate engineering and global HSE. “With each megawatt generated from these solar arrays, we will be helping to build a better future that aligns with our core values. In addition to these arrays, we’re also focused on expanding our EV charging capabilities across our campuses, demonstrating our shared commitment to making life better – not only for patients – but for our planet.”

Find out more about how we are working to meet our 2030 environmental goals by reducing our emissions, waste and resource use.