Lightstar Renewables Expanded Illinois Solar Projects

The developer has integrated agrivoltaic systems to combine solar power generation with active agricultural land use.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Agriculture

Isometric editorial illustration showing uniform rows of solar panels arranged across a flat agricultural field. — Lightstar Renewables has increased its dual-use solar project footprint across Illinois, integrating agrivoltaic systems with active agricultural land and battery storage. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you support converting local farmland into dual-use solar energy projects in your community?

Lightstar Renewables has expanded its dual-use solar operations across Illinois by implementing projects that blend community solar, agrivoltaics, and battery storage. These developments allow private landowners to maintain agricultural productivity while hosting renewable energy infrastructure.

Why it matters

This dual-use approach enables agricultural properties to remain operational for grazing or hay production while adding renewable power capacity to the grid. By layering solar generation with farming, the company provides landowners with long-term lease options on private land.

The US Highway 136 Solar Project in Fulton County features a 2.75 MW capacity. Landowner leases for these solar installations are structured to last for a minimum of 20 years.

The players

Lightstar Renewables

This renewable energy developer specializes in integrating community solar and agrivoltaic systems with battery storage technology.

The details

Lightstar Renewables manages the full project lifecycle, including permitting, construction, and ongoing operations for its installations. The facilities utilize private land to host agrivoltaic models that facilitate electricity delivery to the local distribution grid.

Solar project lease agreements for landowners are signed for 20 years or more.

Market Landscape

The push toward agrivoltaic systems reflects a growing industry focus on efficient land management by merging energy generation with existing farming practices. This strategy positions Lightstar Renewables within the competitive sector of community solar by offering landowners long-term, dual-use lease agreements.

Local residents and property owners may see increased utility infrastructure as these solar projects feed directly into the local distribution grid. The agrivoltaic model allows for continued hay production or grazing, preserving the utility of agricultural land for the community.

The takeaway

The implementation of agrivoltaics demonstrates that energy infrastructure can coexist with traditional farming activities on private land. This model offers rural property owners a way to generate renewable power while maintaining the core agricultural utility of their acreage.