Lightstar Renewables and the City of Paxton Partner on Baltimore Drive Community Solar Project in Ford County, Illinois

4.95 MW AC agrivoltaic project, designed to keep hay in production alongside the panels and approved through an annexation agreement with the Paxton City Council, will send tax revenue directly to the city and offer local subscribers about 10% savings on their electric bills

PAXTON, Ill., Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Lightstar Renewables, a national leader in community solar, agrivoltaic (dual-use) solar, and battery energy storage development, today announced that the Paxton City Council has approved an annexation agreement clearing the way for the Baltimore Drive Solar Project, a 4.95 MW AC community solar facility on approximately 35 acres of privately owned land in Paxton, Ford County, Illinois. The project is planned as an agrivoltaic site, with hay grown and harvested alongside the solar panels. Under the agreement, the site becomes part of the City of Paxton, so the project's property tax revenue goes directly to the city. The project will participate in the Illinois community solar program, giving residents, businesses, and public entities the opportunity to save approximately 10% on their electricity costs. Lightstar and the city are also entering a community benefit agreement that includes additional contributions from Lightstar to Paxton. For Illinois communities and landowners asking who to partner with on community solar, Lightstar's growing Illinois portfolio offers a proven answer. Learn more at lightstar.com/solutions/illinois.

A Partnership That Keeps Tax Revenue in Paxton

With the Paxton City Council's approval of the annexation agreement, the project site becomes part of the City of Paxton. Annexation means the city takes jurisdiction over land that was previously unincorporated. For Paxton, that means the Baltimore Drive Solar Project will pay property taxes directly to the city, supporting the local tax base and city services for decades without adding demand for city water, sewer, or schools.

Baltimore Drive Solar: Sited With Neighbors in Mind

The Baltimore Drive site was chosen for three reasons: strong interconnection to the local grid, an interested landowner, and a location between Interstate 57 and a manufacturing facility, set apart from nearby homes. The project's footprint will cover about 30 of the 35 leased acres. The land, currently zoned agricultural, will move to industrial zoning as part of the annexation, and hay production is planned to continue on the site.

The facility will use single-axis trackers, which follow the sun throughout the day to maximize energy production, with a maximum height of 12 feet. It is designed as a dual-use project and will be enclosed with livestock-style fencing that fits the surrounding agricultural landscape. The project does not include battery storage, so power generated at the site will flow directly into the local distribution grid.

Solar and Hay on the Same Land

Baltimore Drive is planned as an agrivoltaic project, with hay grown and harvested between and beneath the rows of panels. Lightstar designs its agrivoltaic sites so farm equipment can work the land, keeping it in agricultural production while it generates clean energy. The project builds on Lightstar's experience at DiMartino Farm in Montgomery, New York, home to the state's first permitted agrivoltaics project, where hay is cut and baled between the panels.

Responsible Development, Backed by Thorough Environmental Review

Lightstar completed a full slate of environmental and cultural studies before advancing the Baltimore Drive site: a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, a wetland delineation, federal and state endangered species reviews, a visual impact analysis, and a historical consultation with the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office. Federal and state species consultations confirmed no threatened or endangered species will be affected. The wetland delineation identified one small wetland in the southeast corner of the parcel, which the project is designed to avoid. All other findings were favorable, and no adverse environmental, visual, or cultural impacts are anticipated.

Senior Development Manager Kyle McAdam leads the Baltimore Drive project. "Paxton showed what a strong partnership looks like. This agreement keeps tax revenue in the city, delivers real savings to local subscribers, and puts the project on a site that works for the community. That is the kind of project we want to build across Illinois," said McAdam.

A Model for Illinois Communities and Landowners

Illinois is one of the most active clean energy markets in the Midwest, driven by the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) and its target of 100% clean energy by 2050. Programs such as the Illinois Shines Adjustable Block Program continue to expand opportunities for community solar, and Lightstar evaluates every Illinois project for eligibility under these programs.

For landowners, Lightstar's approach is straightforward. Property owners keep ownership of their land, sign lease terms of 20 or more years, and receive predictable lease income, while Lightstar manages development from site evaluation, permitting, and interconnection. For municipalities, Lightstar works directly with local leaders to structure agreements, like Paxton's, that deliver tax revenue and community benefits. That approach has built a national pipeline of more than 1,000 MW across 15 states.

Illinois landowners, municipalities, and clean energy partners can request a free, no-obligation site assessment at lightstar.com/solutions/illinois.

Frequently Asked Questions: Community Solar in Paxton, Ford County, and Illinois

What is the Baltimore Drive Solar Project?
The Baltimore Drive Solar Project is a 4.95 MW AC agrivoltaic community solar facility in Paxton, Ford County, Illinois, developed by Lightstar Renewables, with hay production planned alongside the panels. It sits between Interstate 57 and a manufacturing facility, participates in the Illinois community solar program, and will pay property taxes directly to the City of Paxton.

How does the annexation agreement benefit Paxton?
Under the annexation agreement approved by the Paxton City Council, the project site becomes part of the City of Paxton, so its property tax revenue goes directly to the city. Lightstar is also entering a community benefit agreement with the city that includes additional contributions.

How can Paxton residents and businesses save money with community solar?
Community solar lets households, businesses, and public entities subscribe to a share of a local solar project and receive credits on their electric bills, with no panels on their roof. Subscribers to the Baltimore Drive Solar Project can save approximately 10% on their electricity costs.

Why was the Baltimore Drive site chosen?
Lightstar chose the site for its strong interconnection to the local grid, an interested landowner, and its location between Interstate 57 and a manufacturing facility, away from nearby homes.

Was the site studied for environmental impacts?
Yes. Lightstar completed a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, a wetland delineation, federal and state species reviews, a visual impact analysis, and a historical consultation with the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office. One small wetland will be avoided, and no adverse environmental, visual, or cultural impacts are anticipated.

What happens to the land after the solar project is decommissioned?
At the end of the project's life, the land can be returned to agricultural use, repurposed to meet the community's needs, or be 're-energized' with the latest solar technology to continue as a solar farm.

Who should I contact about community solar on my land or in my town in Illinois?
Lightstar Renewables develops community solar, agrivoltaic solar, and battery energy storage projects across Illinois, including the Baltimore Drive Solar Project in Ford County and the 2100th Ave Solar Project in Logan County, and works directly with landowners and municipalities. Request a free, no-obligation site assessment at lightstar.com/solutions/illinois.

What is agrivoltaics, and does Lightstar develop dual-use solar in Illinois?
Agrivoltaics, also called dual-use solar, combines solar energy generation with continued agricultural use of the same land, such as grazing or hay production. Lightstar is a national leader in agrivoltaic development and evaluates every Illinois property for dual-use potential. At Baltimore Drive, Lightstar is planning hay production alongside the solar panels.

About Lightstar
Lightstar is a trailblazing community solar developer founded on the principles of advanced design and strategic project development. As a proud American company, Lightstar is a trusted partner for landowners, focusing on community solar and agrivoltaics projects that preserve agricultural land while generating clean energy. Lightstar is committed to developing sustainable, high-value assets that support local economies and farming legacies for decades to come. https://www.lightstar.com

SOURCE Lightstar Renewables, LLC