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PRESS RELEASE: New Federal Legislation Threatens Farm Revenue- Lightstar Urges Landowners to Secure Solar Incentives Before Approaching Deadline 

New Federal Legislation Threatens Farm Revenue: Lightstar Urges Landowners to Secure Solar Incentives Before Approaching Deadline - Lightstar, a leading American community solar developer, today issued a critical advisory to agricultural landowners regarding immediate changes to federal renewable energy policy.

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Lauren Skirball, Policy & Strategy Manager, West Lauren Skirball, Policy & Strategy Manager, West

Illinois Supercharges Clean Energy with New CRGA Bill

Discover how the new Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA) in Illinois is expanding community solar, funding battery storage, and driving clean energy growth.

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Industry Article - re-posted by Lightstar Industry Article - re-posted by Lightstar

Supporting Farmers Is Key to Combating the Climate Crisis

On Tuesday morning, September 23, Food Tank hosted “Keeping Farmers on the Land,” a Climate Week NYC Summit in partnership with American Farmland Trust. The invitation-only event explored farmers’ critical role in advancing climate solutions, and the tools and policies needed to help them thrive—from soil health and land protection to agrivoltaics and smart solar strategies.

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A New Season for Farming and Energy: Lightstar Celebrates Plains Road Agrivoltaics Project

Lightstar Renewables LLC proudly announces the launch of the Plains Road Agrivoltaics project, an initiative that seamlessly integrates solar energy production with agricultural use on the DiMartino Farm in Montgomery, New York. The agricultural consultant on the project was Solar Agricultural Services, Inc. (SolAg). This project demonstrates the new way farmers can both feed and fuel New York state - a forging together of both needed clean energy generation and vital agricultural production.  

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PRESS RELEASE: Lightstar Renewables Celebrates Successful Launch of New York's First Agrivoltaics Project

Lightstar Renewables LLC proudly announces the launch of the Plains Road Agrivoltaics project, an initiative that seamlessly integrates solar energy production with agricultural use on the DiMartino Farm in Montgomery, New York. The agricultural consultant on the project was Solar Agricultural Services, Inc. (SolAg). This project demonstrates the new way farmers can both feed and fuel New York state - a forging together of both needed clean energy generation and vital agricultural production.  

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Industry Article - re-posted by Lightstar Industry Article - re-posted by Lightstar

As Federal Support for On-Farm Solar Declines, Is Community Agrivoltaics the Future?

Lightstar Renewables LLC proudly announces the launch of the Plains Road Agrivoltaics project, an initiative that seamlessly integrates solar energy production with agricultural use on the DiMartino Farm in Montgomery, New York. The agricultural consultant on the project was Solar Agricultural Services, Inc. (SolAg). This project demonstrates the new way farmers can both feed and fuel New York state - a forging together of both needed clean energy generation and vital agricultural production.  

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Industry Article - re-posted by Lightstar Industry Article - re-posted by Lightstar

PRESS RELEASE:  Lightstar Renewables Launches Innovative Agrivoltaics Project in Montgomery, New York

Lightstar Renewables LLC proudly announces the launch of the Plains Road Agrivoltaics project, an initiative that seamlessly integrates solar energy production with agricultural use on the DiMartino Farm in Montgomery, New York. The agricultural consultant on the project was Solar Agricultural Services, Inc. (SolAg). This project demonstrates the new way farmers can both feed and fuel New York state - a forging together of both needed clean energy generation and vital agricultural production.  

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Industry Article - re-posted by Lightstar Industry Article - re-posted by Lightstar

Solar energy growth won’t eat into farmland, U of A study finds - Arkansas Times

New research from the University of Arkansas shows that even with an extreme ramping up of solar energy infrastructure, only a tiny fraction of agricultural land would likely be taken out of production to harvest sunlight instead.

Brianna Fiorillo, Policy & Strategy Manager, Midwest at Lightstar weighs-in.

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Agrivoltaics Make The Leap From Rural To Urban Farming

Urban farms can be anchors of community resiliency, supporting food availability, economic opportunities, and educational activities, too. Now, the City of Detroit has embarked on a plan to add clean power to the list of benefits. The Solar Neighborhoods program incorporates agrivoltaics, enabling the city move forward with decarbonization goals for municipal operations. Partners in the project already anticipate that it will provide a model for similar programs in cities across the US.

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Industry Article - re-posted by Lightstar Industry Article - re-posted by Lightstar

House Policy Shift Risks Rural Farm Income and Solar Growth

Urban farms can be anchors of community resiliency, supporting food availability, economic opportunities, and educational activities, too. Now, the City of Detroit has embarked on a plan to add clean power to the list of benefits. The Solar Neighborhoods program incorporates agrivoltaics, enabling the city move forward with decarbonization goals for municipal operations. Partners in the project already anticipate that it will provide a model for similar programs in cities across the US.

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Industry Article - re-posted by Lightstar Industry Article - re-posted by Lightstar

Supporting Farming Families and Renewable Energy Initiatives

It's crucial to reach out to your Senators today! Voice your support for America's farming families and their communities by advocating for the preservation of investment tax credits.

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The “Big Beautiful Bill” Threatens Farming Families and Property Rights - At the Heart of American Agriculture.

Farmers in America stand at a crossroads. The “Big Beautiful Bill”, as passed out of the House this morning, threatens both the financial stability of farming families and the property rights that lie at the heart of American agriculture. This bill would immediately take away farming families’ choice to utilize a portion of their property for solar or agrivoltaics.

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As Tax Credits Face Repeal, Farmers Are Under Threat

At the Solar and Farming Association (SAFA), we stand firm in advocating for policies that empower rural farmers and advance sustainable energy solutions. The phase out of clean energy investment tax credits poses a significant threat to innovative American farmers who rely on agrivoltaics to sustain their livelihoods, diversify income streams, and preserve their land.

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Industry Article - re-posted by Lightstar Industry Article - re-posted by Lightstar

With agrivoltaics, solar farms can add wheat, sheep as new cash crops

Solar energy developers are increasingly looking to open their facilities to another type of farming: crops and livestock.

Agrivoltaics, the dual use of land for solar energy generation and agricultural production, is getting more attention, according to a July 2024 report released by the Solar and Storage Industries Institute. More than 70% of farmers are open to large-scale solar projects on their properties if system designs allow for continued agricultural production, according to the report.

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