Lightstar Renewables, a Massachusetts company, is proposing a new agrivoltaics system in northern Baltimore County, Maryland, which would be one of the state’s first. The project would integrate solar panels with crop production on a 23-acre farm, allowing farming to continue beneath the raised rotating panels. The company has selected a site owned by Rebecca Phillips, who was initially hesitant to sell to developers but chose to partner with Lightstar to preserve farmland. The project, which is still undergoing permitting, has faced some public concerns about visual impact and noise. However, supporters see the project as a way to balance renewable energy goals with farmland preservation. The project would use a unique design that allows for crop production beneath the solar panels, creating a microclimate that can increase plant productivity. Lightstar hopes to have the project operational by the end of the year and sees it as a model for future agrivoltaic projects in Maryland. However, the company is concerned about the potential cut to the federal Investment Tax Credit, which could threaten the project’s financial viability.
Agrivoltaics is heading to Baltimore County.
