Key Takeaways:
- Lightstar Renewables announces the Plains Road Agrivoltaics project in Montgomery, NY
- Project integrates solar energy generation with continued agricultural use
- DiMartino Farm to maintain hay production while adding new vegetable acreage
- Expected to power 466 homes annually while supporting long-term farm viability
- Ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for September 2025
Lightstar Renewables Expands Agrivoltaics Development in New York
Lightstar Renewables’ Plains Road Project Combines Energy and Agriculture
Lightstar Renewables LLC has officially launched the Plains Road Agrivoltaics project, an initiative that integrates solar energy infrastructure with active agricultural production on the DiMartino Farm in Montgomery, New York. The project was developed in consultation with Solar Agricultural Services, Inc. (SolAg) and is designed to support hay production and introduce new vegetable farming acreage.
The system is tailored to accommodate the farm’s existing hay planting and harvesting operations while allocating two additional acres to support a new entry farmer. According to Lightstar, the installation will generate enough electricity to power approximately 466 homes annually.
Policy Changes Enable Dual-Use Land Strategy
Local Bylaws Amended to Support Agrivoltaics
A key component of the project’s success was the Town of Montgomery’s adjustment of zoning bylaws to allow agrivoltaics installations. The town is among the first in New York to revise regulations, including height restrictions and lot coverage, to promote dual-use strategies that maintain agricultural productivity alongside renewable energy development.
The project aligns with American Farmland Trust’s Smart Solar principles, which promote solar development practices that protect farmland and rural communities.
Community Perspectives on Project Benefits
Emphasis on Collaboration and Stewardship
“This strategic partnership marks a significant step toward enabling data-driven policymaking, strengthening food security, and empowering smallholder farmers with near real-time insights into crop health, weather variability, and sustainable practices,” said Lucy Bullock-Sieger, Chief Strategy Officer at Lightstar Renewables. “There is so much more that we can do as an industry to listen to agricultural stewards and learn how growing food and powering homes can work in concert.”
Linda Garrett, Regional Director at American Farmland Trust, noted: “Lightstar’s project is a prime example of the Smart Solar principles and reaffirms our commitment to fostering partnerships that benefit communities and protect our agricultural heritage.”
September Event to Mark Official Launch
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to Highlight Project Milestone By Lightstar Renewables
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for September 2025 to commemorate the project’s official commissioning. Attendees will include Assembly Member Brian Maher, who supported the initiative, as well as representatives from American Farmland Trust and SolAg founder Iain Ward.
The event will offer a closer look at the agrivoltaic system, provide access to project stakeholders, and explore the broader implications for renewable energy development and agricultural sustainability in New York State and beyond.
