Credit: City of Detroit Flickr

Group Executive for Neighborhoods Ray Solomon (left) and Mayor Mike Duggan (right) listen as Tepfirah Rushdan, director of Detroit's Office of Sustainability (center) speaks Monday during the city's "solar neighborhoods" announcement.

While there are very few agrivoltaic projects in Illinois, early research and small projects show synergies between solar energy and agriculture. The co-location of solar panels and agriculture could keep farmers in business, improve ecosystem health, feed the country and provide clean energy.

Welcome to another edition of "Out and About with Owen." Today, I’m thrilled to share my experience attending the World Agrivoltaics Conference, an event that showcased the latest advancements in integrating agriculture with solar energy.

Credit: City of Detroit Flickr

Group Executive for Neighborhoods Ray Solomon (left) and Mayor Mike Duggan (right) listen as Tepfirah Rushdan, director of Detroit's Office of Sustainability (center) speaks Monday during the city's "solar neighborhoods" announcement.

Mayor Mike Duggan on Monday announced the first three neighborhoods chosen to take part in a project to convert blighted lots into solar farms to help power municipal buildings.

Meet Owen Deitcher, a dynamic Development Associate at Lightstar, whose passion for community solar and agrivoltaics illuminates his work and personal adventures. Owen isn't just part of our team; he's the heart of our mission, bringing the spirit of community to everything we do in solar energy. Travelling across the country and occasionally Europe, he dives deep into rural communities, engaging with farmers and locals, enriching his understanding, and advocating for a brighter, sustainable future. Beyond his professional pursuits, Owen’s love for travel and meeting new people fuels his quest for knowledge and connection, making him a true advocate for rural communities and sustainable development. Join Owen on his mission to empower communities through solar energy, one conversation at a time.

Illinois agrivoltaic project successfully permitted, despite local challenge

The 4.95 MW Nesler Road agrivoltaic/community solar project will be installed on 36 acres and will grow hay along with generating enough clean, renewable solar energy to power 1,100 Illinois homes each year.

Has the US caught up with European agrivoltaic deployment?

With so much more agricultural real estate than Europe, the United States is building on the body of research built up across The Pond and rolling out solar panels on farmland at an impressive rate.

An affiliate of Eagle Creek Renewable Energy (“Eagle Creek”) has acquired Lightstar Renewables, a community solar developer and owner and operator of community solar farms in the United States.

Has the US caught up with European agrivoltaic deployment?

With so much more agricultural real estate than Europe, the United States is building on the body of research built up across The Pond and rolling out solar panels on farmland at an impressive rate.

Has the US caught up with European agrivoltaic deployment?

With so much more agricultural real estate than Europe, the United States is building on the body of research built up across The Pond and rolling out solar panels on farmland at an impressive rate.