New York Agrivoltaics Project Combines Solar Energy and Farming on DiMartino Farm
A new solar project in New York's Hudson Valley is redefining how farmland can be used to produce both food and energy. Lightstar Renewables has launched the Plains Road Agrivoltaics project on DiMartino Farm in Montgomery, demonstrating how solar development and agriculture can operate side by side.
The project integrates solar panels into an active hay farm while adding two acres of vegetable production space, which will be made available to a new entry farmer. The installation is designed to accommodate existing hay-planting and harvesting equipment, ensuring the farm’s core agricultural operations continue uninterrupted. According to Lightstar, the solar array will generate enough electricity to power approximately 466 homes annually.
“This project shows what’s possible when clean energy and agriculture are developed together, rather than in competition,” said Lucy Bullock-Sieger, Chief Strategy Officer at Lightstar Renewables. “By centering farmers’ needs, we’re able to grow food and generate power on the same land.”
A key element of the project was a change in local land-use regulations. Montgomery is among the first municipalities in New York to update its bylaws to specifically allow agrivoltaics, a land-use model that combines agriculture and solar power production. The changes include specific provisions related to solar panel height, lot coverage, and setbacks designed to support continued farm activity.
The Plains Road project was developed with agricultural guidance from Solar Agricultural Services, Inc. (SolAg), and aligns with the Smart Solar principles promoted by the American Farmland Trust (AFT). Those principles encourage responsible solar siting that supports working farms, strengthens rural economies, and minimizes environmental impacts.
“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,” said Linda Garrett, New York & New Jersey Regional Director at AFT.
The Plains Road installation is among a growing number of agrivoltaics projects nationwide, as states look for ways to scale up renewable energy without displacing agricultural production. Supporters say the model offers dual benefits: long-term income stability for farmers and cleaner, more resilient local energy supplies.
Lightstar plans to officially commission the project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in September 2025. The company sees Plains Road as a replicable template for communities across New York and beyond seeking to balance climate goals with agricultural preservation.