Lightstar Renewables has announced the 2100th Ave Solar Project, a 3.5 MW AC community solar facility on about 30 acres of farmland in Atlanta Township, Logan County, Illinois. Local subscribers can save about 10% on their electricity costs, and the project will bring construction jobs and long-term tax revenue to the county. Illinois landowners can learn how Lightstar's lease model lets them keep full ownership of their land while earning fixed income for 20 years or more.

Lightstar is expanding its Illinois community solar, agrivoltaic solar, and battery energy storage (BESS) portfolio, and the industry is taking notice.

Lightstar Renewables, a national leader in community solar and dual-use (agrivoltaic) solar development, today confirmed the continued expansion of its active Illinois portfolio across three service lines: community solar, agrivoltaic solar, and battery energy storage systems (BESS). Lightstar develops these projects on private land throughout Illinois, guiding landowners through an origination-to-operation process that preserves land ownership, delivers fixed long-term lease income, and keeps land in productive use.

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.

See how agrivoltaics comes to life at DiMartino Farm, where crops and clean solar energy share the same land—and a family legacy grows stronger with every season. This teaser previews Lightstar's award-winning dual-use solar project, with the full documentary arriving fall 2026.

Discover how the US Highway 136 Solar Project brings Lewistown clean energy, local jobs, and educational outreach to Fulton County.

Act before the March 31, 2026 deadline! New federal law (OBBBA) puts farm solar incentives at risk. Lightstar helps secure your revenue with agrivoltaics. Learn more.

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.

Learn how NY's $7M investment in agrivoltaics supports sustainable farming. Discover how Lightstar's clean energy projects help farmers and the planet.

Discover how agrivoltaics is transforming sustainable farming. Learn how combining clean energy with agriculture offers new economic benefits for farmers.

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.

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.

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.

Deep in the UP, an abandoned mine could offer hope for green energy fights.

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

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.

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.

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.

Lightstar reaffirms its unwavering commitment to America’s farming families as federal proposals threaten to undermine a vital farm viability and succession planning tool for America’s farmers – the long-standing technology neutral investment tax credit (ITC).  

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.

Agrivoltaics doesn’t just benefit individual farmers; it strengthens rural economies as a whole. By choosing agrivoltaics, you’re creating jobs for solar system installation and maintenance. The revenue generated can circulate back into your local community, supporting businesses, infrastructure development, and economic growth.