Norrisville Road - Powering a Community with Clean Energy, and Preserving Farmland.
At At Lightstar, we are committed to building a sustainable future where clean energy and agriculture thrive together. The Norrisville Road project embodies this vision, showcasing a forward-thinking approach that supports Maryland's farming heritage while providing clean, affordable energy to the local community. This project is more than an energy solution; it's an investment in a resilient, sustainable future for Harford County, preserving productive land for generations to come.
Societal & Environmental Benefits
Substantial savings to local LMI residents annually
3000 Metric Tons Removed
In 1 year, this project avoids 3000 metric tons of CO2. This is equal to avoided greenhouse gas emissions from:
This is the equivalent to carbon sequestered by:
6.6 million Miles Driven (average gas powered car for 1yr)
48,300 tree seedlings planted for 10 yrs
3470 acres of US forests conserved per yr
Project Overview
The Norrisville Road MD PV LLC Project, a subsidiary of Lightstar Renewables, LLC, is a proposed 3.5 MWac agrivoltaic Community Solar Energy Generation System (CSEGS). The project will be located on approximately 20 acres of leased land at 4539 Norrisville Road in White Hall, MD, which is privately owned and will continue to be actively farmed throughout the project's life.
The subject property is zoned as Agricultural (AG), and the project is designed to honor this designation. As a true dual-use agrivoltaics installation, it will integrate clean energy generation with ongoing agricultural activities beneath and around the solar infrastructure, a practice that enhances land-use efficiency and supports local food production.
The proposed solar array will feature a single-axis tracker system with a maximum panel height of 9.5 feet, a design specifically chosen to accommodate standard farming equipment and minimize visual impact on the rural landscape. The array will be enclosed by agricultural fencing, maintaining the area's pastoral character.
Electricity produced will be converted from DC to AC power via inverters on equipment pads, which also house transformers and other necessary systems. The power will then be distributed to the local grid.
Once construction is complete, the site will not be staffed daily. It will be remotely monitored, with periodic visits from maintenance personnel to ensure optimal performance. The project will not generate significant post-construction traffic and requires no water or sewage services.
Lightstar intends for the Norrisville PV Project to participate in Maryland’s Community Solar Program. This will allow local Harford County residents and businesses to subscribe to the array and receive discounted electricity rates, promoting energy equity and expanding access to renewable power. Lightstar is excited to bring this innovative project to Harford County and contribute to Maryland's renewable energy future.
Frequently Asked Questions
At Lightstar, we are committed to transparency and collaboration with the communities we work in. Our approach is future-focused, rooted in the urgency to decarbonize our grid. We work with landowners, local communities, and officials to create projects that reflect best practices in sustainability, foster economic opportunity, and align with shared long-term goals.
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The project is sited here because the landowner is willing to lease the land for solar development and grid interconnection is viable at this location. Finding suitable sites for solar is like finding a needle in a haystack; it requires a careful balance of solar exposure, land availability, grid capacity, and regulatory factors. This parcel meets those demanding criteria.
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Yes, the land is zoned Agricultural (AG). This project is designed as a dual-use agrivoltaics system, meaning it supports both energy generation and continued farming, which is consistent with the land's primary use.
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Yes, all appropriate environmental studies have been completed, and no concerns were identified. The project will adhere to all state and local environmental standards.
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No. Specific studies have been completed and confirmed that there are no endangered or threatened species of concern at this location.
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While specific hiring decisions have not been finalized, we are committed to supporting the local economy. We will request bids from local installers and ensure all contracted electricians hold the required Maryland State licenses.
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A decommissioning bond is provided upfront to cover all costs associated with removing the solar array at the end of its useful life. This ensures the land can be returned to its original state or repurposed as the landowner desires.
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The decommissioning bond is provided up-front to cover the future decommissioning responsibility. The Town will also have legal leverage to compel the owning entity (anticipated to be Lightstar) to maintain or decommission the facility under the permit approvals. Once the project is at the end of its useful life, it will be dismantled per the decommissioning plan that the town agrees upon.
Resources
COMING SOON!
Project Visual Simulations
Coming soon.
Environmental Considerations
Wetland/environmental field work has been completed. The Project as designed avoids any located features.
MDE site visit took place on October 8, 2025. Confirmation of avoidance/no impact has been obtained
Subsurface Exploration, Laboratory Testing and Geotechnical work has been completed
MHT/DNR/USFWS consultations have been completed, no concerns were identified.
Lightstar in the Media
With Support from Assemblyman Brian Maher, Lightstar Renewables Launches NY’s First Agrivoltaics Project
September 26, 2025
Lightstar Renewables LLC celebrated a major milestone in sustainable agriculture and renewable energy with the successful ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Plains Road agrivoltaics project. The groundbreaking initiative, launched at the DiMartino Farm in Montgomery, New York, drew significant attention from state officials, agricultural leaders and local media, marking a new chapter in dual-purpose land use that benefits both farming and clean energy production.
In 2021, while supervisor of the Town of Montgomery, now-Assemblyman Brian Maher crafted a local law that would specifically allow agrivoltaic developments like this to have a place in the Town of Montgomery. This project is years in the making and now will serve as an example for other communities to follow in the years ahead. Assemblyman Maher, whose legislative leadership played an instrumental role in moving the project forward, joined representatives from American Farmland Trust, Iain Ward—a farmer and CEO of Solar Agricultural Services, Inc.—as well as local farmers, community members and regional media to commemorate the commissioning of New York’s first agrivoltaics installation.
“Today marks a turning point for sustainable development in New York,” said Assemblyman Maher. “The Plains Road project demonstrates how we can honor our agricultural heritage while meeting our goals of energy independence and providing a variety of clean alternatives to complement reliable energy sources that our communities and state count on for grid reliability.”
The ceremony showcased the project’s innovative design, which enables hay planting and harvesting equipment to operate efficiently alongside the solar installation. In addition, the site will incorporate two acres of vegetable production, creating opportunities for beginning farmers while producing enough renewable energy to power 466 homes annually.
“Too often in New York, we have seen that building clean energy means shutting down farms for good. While not every product will be able to work with agrivoltaics, it certainly is a step in the right direction to both support renewable energy and protect local farms,” said Maher.
Link: https://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Brian-Maher/story/115427
"Lightstar has created a model that truly puts farmers first. This project shows how solar development can strengthen rather than compromise agricultural operations.”
— Linda Garrett, New York & New Jersey Regional Director at American Farmland Trust
“This project proves that agrivoltaics can deliver real value to working farms. We're not just installing solar panels – we're creating new opportunities for agricultural innovation.”
— Iain Ward, Farmer, Founder, and CEO of Solar Agricultural Services, Inc. (SolAg)
Meet the Team
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I’m Tim Groszkowski, Development Manager at Lightstar, and Maryland native. I'm proud to be part of a project that benefits my home state. It's incredibly rewarding to help bring a dual-use agrivoltaic solution to life—one that generates clean energy while supporting our local agriculture and strengthening the community.
My work focuses on developing innovative solar projects that deliver real environmental and economic benefits. I am committed to a transparent and collaborative approach, working closely with landowners and local leaders to ensure our projects have a lasting, positive impact.
With a background in Sustainability and Energy Resources from George Mason University and experience as a small business owner, I bring a passion for creative problem-solving to the clean energy transition. I believe in building strong relationships to create projects that are both successful and meaningful for the communities they serve. I'm dedicated to advancing a clean, resilient energy future and am always eager to contribute to projects that make a real difference.
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Allen leads Lightstar’s development team with an unwavering commitment to advancing clean energy solutions. Since joining the solar industry in 2017, Allen has successfully developed over 500MW of community solar-scale projects across 13 states, as well as a 120MW grid-scale project. His expertise ensures that every project is designed to maximize efficiency while prioritizing environmental stewardship.
With a unique blend of environmental science and legal expertise, Allen brings a thoughtful and holistic approach to solar development. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources from Sewanee The University of the South, a Master of Science in Conservation Biology from Antioch University of New England, and a Juris Doctor from Vermont Law School. This multidisciplinary background enables him to navigate the complexities of solar development while focusing on minimizing environmental impacts and fostering sustainable energy transitions.
But it’s not just about individual achievements for Allen - he truly believes that collaboration is key to achieving our goals. That’s why he works closely with local governments, landowners, and stakeholders to ensure that our projects are mutually beneficial for all parties involved. By fostering strong relationships and finding common ground, we can create lasting positive impacts through solar energy.
At Lightstar, Allen’s leadership reflects our collective mission to create innovative, sustainable solar projects while building long-term partnerships with communities and landowners. He is passionate about ensuring that solar energy not only delivers clean power but also contributes positively to the land and communities we serve.
About Lightstar
Stewards of the Land, Backed by Institutional Capital
You've never met a solar company quite like us. At Lightstar, we are more than just a solar provider; we are long-term partners in building a sustainable future. As a long-term asset owner, Lightstar stands apart by managing the entire project lifecycle—from development through ongoing operation and maintenance. Unlike many in the industry, our community solar model leverages vertical integration and strong partnerships, ensuring lasting value and stewardship for the communities and land we serve. We were one of the first to trailblaze agrivoltaics, an innovative approach that allows landowners to maintain the agricultural vitality of their land while generating clean energy.
Our commitment to advancing clean energy has entered an exciting new chapter. Lightstar's parent company, Eagle Creek Renewable Energy, has been acquired by funds managed by Apollo, a high-growth, global alternative asset manager. This partnership marks a pivotal moment, empowering us to accelerate our mission and expand our impact.
With the strength and support of Apollo, a leader in funding the energy transition, Lightstar is better positioned than ever to lead the way in community-focused solar development. We will continue to champion sustainable land use, create innovative energy solutions, and build lasting relationships with landowners and local communities. Together, we are cultivating a brighter, more resilient energy future for everyone.
Lightstar Gives Back
The Lightstar Gives Back program supports organizations and issues through donations, sponsorships and resources to help foster vibrant communities and sustainable economic development. We want to be involved in ways that will have a lasting, meaningful impact.
Developed and launched by the policy team at Lightstar, The Solar and Farming Association (SAFA) is a coalition of organizations representing the interests of the agrivoltaics (AgPV) industry including developers, agricultural producers, livestock producers, and affiliated organizations focused on expanding and integrating solar and sustained agricultural production on the same parcel of land.
SAFA’ s mission is to grow commercial crop and livestock agrivoltaics in the United States.
