Farms of the Future: Sowing Solar and Seed on the Same Land

NEW YORK, NY – July 30, 2026 – On a plot of land the DiMartino family has worked since 1972, a new kind of harvest is underway. Alongside the traditional hay that grows from the soil, rows of advanced solar panels now tilt toward the sun, gathering a different kind of bounty: clean energy. This is the scene at the Plains Road Agrivoltaics project in New York, a pioneering effort that is challenging the long-held assumption that landowners must choose between farming and energy production.

Developer Lightstar Renewables recently offered a glimpse into this dual-use future with a teaser for a full-length documentary set to premiere this fall. The film promises to tell the story of the DiMartino farm’s first full growing season under the panels, capturing what many see as a revolutionary shift in land use. For Ralph DiMartino, the project is about more than just innovation. "It's kind of family tradition to pass down the heritage of our farm," he said. "And being able to dual farm it between solar farm and hay farm, it's great." His sentiment captures the core promise of agrivoltaics: a way to embrace the future without sacrificing the past.

The Agronomic Revolution: More Than Just Panels on a Field

The term “agrivoltaics” (AgPV) describes the co-location of agriculture and solar energy generation on the same land. But the model being implemented by Lightstar goes far beyond simply erecting panels over a field. It represents a sophisticated, symbiotic system designed to benefit both the crop and the grid. At Plains Road, single-axis trackers allow the solar arrays to follow the sun, optimizing energy production while casting patterns of partial shade on the ground below.

This shading, once seen as a potential hindrance, is now understood to be a significant agronomic advantage. "Lightstar is really putting the ag into agrivoltaics," said Ethan Winter, National Smart Solar Director at American Farmland Trust. "That partial shading may actually be beneficial to the crops, especially during our hotter and drier summers." Independent research supports this claim. Studies from institutions like Ohio State University have shown that certain crops, particularly forage like the hay grown at Plains Road, can maintain comparable yields under panels while benefiting from reduced water evaporation and improved soil moisture retention. In an era of increasing climate volatility, this built-in resilience could be a game-changer.

The approach flips the traditional narrative of solar development on its head. Instead of displacing agriculture, this new model is designed to enhance it. "This is where we flip the script and we say agrivoltaics doesn't just tolerate agriculture. It empowers agriculture," Winter stated, framing the technology not as a compromise, but as a catalyst for a more sustainable and productive farming future.

A New Economic Bedrock for American Farmland

For generations, American farmers have faced a precarious economic reality, caught between fluctuating commodity prices, rising operational costs, and the immense pressure to sell their land to developers. Agrivoltaics presents a powerful economic alternative. By leasing a portion of their land for community solar generation, farmers can secure a stable, long-term revenue stream that complements their agricultural income.

This financial stability can be profound. While specific lease terms vary, industry analyses show that dual-use solar leases can provide farmers with hundreds or even thousands of dollars per acre annually, creating a dependable financial bedrock. For many, this is the difference between solvency and foreclosure. Farmer Justin Butts, Founder of Black Wind Farm, described the potential impact in stark terms: "This would be a life-changing thing. It would give my farm a significant boost forward. And it would also provide a secure and stable income for decades going forward."

This economic lifeline does more than just support individual families; it helps preserve the agricultural character of entire communities. "Today the majority of farmland is at risk," explained Iain Ward, Founder and CEO of Solar Agricultural Services, Inc. (SolAg), a key partner in the project. "This model of agrivoltaics means the farmer is benefiting, they're getting paid, they're farming, they have a long-term lease, and the land is preserved." By making farming more profitable, agrivoltaics reduces the incentive to sell to commercial or residential developers, keeping working lands in production and strengthening the rural economy.

The Policy and Partnerships Powering a Dual-Use Future

The success of projects like Plains Road is not happening in a vacuum. It is enabled by a strategic convergence of forward-thinking policy, corporate vision, and collaborative partnerships. New York State has emerged as a national leader in promoting agrivoltaics, driven by its ambitious Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which mandates a rapid transition to renewable energy.

State agencies like the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) have been instrumental, awarding over $7 million to agrivoltaics initiatives. The Plains Road project itself was a recipient of over $515,000 in NYSERDA funding, a clear signal of its alignment with state objectives. This policy support creates a fertile ground for developers like Lightstar to innovate. The company, which has over a gigawatt of projects completed or in development, has distinguished itself by actively engaging with local communities and policymakers. In the case of Plains Road, Lightstar and its partner SolAg worked to amend local zoning laws to permit the dual-use model, demonstrating a commitment to integrating projects into the community fabric rather than imposing them upon it.

This farmer-centered approach is central to the company’s strategy. "It's really the best of both worlds around land use," said Steven O'Toole, Director of Asset Management at Lightstar. "We're able to both utilize the land for energy generation, and the farmer's able to continue farming." By working closely with landowners, agricultural experts, and advocacy groups like the American Farmland Trust, the company is building a portfolio that aims to deliver value across the board—for investors, for local grids, and for the farmers who steward the land. As the full documentary prepares to show the results of a complete harvest cycle, it will offer more than just a story about a single farm; it will provide a blueprint for a more resilient and integrated American landscape. As Owen Deitcher, AgPV Manager at Lightstar, noted, "We are setting the foundation for agriculture for decades to come."