Illinois community solar farm will produce renewable energy and hay
A 4.95-MW community solar project in Paxton, Illinois, will share land with hay farming, benefiting local subscribers and city finances under a new agreement.
Lightstar Renewables and the Paxton City Council have partnered to develop the Baltimore Drive Solar Project, a 4.95-MW AC community solar installation on 35 acres of privately owned land near Paxton. The project uniquely combines solar energy production with hay cultivation on the same site, creating dual land use. Local officials highlighted the agreement’s benefits, including retained tax revenue for the city and reduced energy costs for subscribers. The collaboration reflects a model Lightstar aims to replicate across Illinois.
The Paxton City Council approved the project, emphasizing its alignment with community priorities such as economic and energy benefits. Kyle McAdam, Lightstar’s senior development manager, noted the partnership’s strength in delivering tangible local advantages. The project’s location was selected to minimize disruption while maximizing shared land utility. Community solar projects like this typically allow residents and businesses to subscribe to solar power without installing panels on their properties.
The Baltimore Drive Solar Project will generate renewable energy while maintaining agricultural productivity on the same parcel. Lightstar specializes in agrivoltaics, which integrates solar arrays with farming activities such as hay growing. This approach aims to balance energy generation with land use efficiency, providing a practical solution for rural communities. The project’s design ensures both solar panels and farming equipment can operate simultaneously on the site.
Lightstar Renewables, based in the solar sector, focuses on community solar and battery storage solutions. The company’s development manager praised Paxton’s collaborative approach, underscoring the project’s role in supporting local infrastructure and energy affordability. The agreement ensures the city retains tax revenue while subscribers receive savings on their energy bills. This initiative represents a step toward broader adoption of community solar in Illinois.