In a nation-leading effort Lightstar was selected to
transform self-selected Detroit
neighborhoods to power the City and fuel community
revitalization
DETROIT, June 25,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lightstar, in collaboration
with the City of Detroit, is proud
to announce the launch of an ambitious solar energy project that
promises to shine groundbreaking light on combining urban
agriculture and renewable energy. This groundbreaking initiative,
aptly named "Locally-Sited Utility-Scale Solar," marks the
beginning of a multi-phase endeavor aimed at intertwining the
growth of solar energy infrastructure with sustainable agricultural
development in partnership with Detroit's vibrant communities.
Lightstar would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to Mayor
Mike Duggan, the City of Detroit, and the vibrant communities
of State Fair and Gratiot-Findlay.
Your unwavering support and enthusiasm are pivotal as we advance
Phase I of our groundbreaking agrivoltaic solar installation
project. Lightstar is honored to continue your work to date,
promoting environmental justice and ensuring that the benefits of
our projects are accessible to all. We are committed to transparent
communication and ongoing collaboration and engagement with
community members throughout every phase of the project. Your voice
is essential as we forge ahead in creating a sustainable and
thriving Detroit.
Phase I of the project is set to bring solar
installations to two community-centered sites – State Fair and
Gratiot-Findlay – boasting a
combined potential of approximately 10MW of generation capacity.
With successive phases looking to expand this innovative fusion of
technology and agriculture further, Lightstar and City leaders are
laying the groundwork for a future where Detroit leads the charge in urban
sustainability.
At its core, this venture seeks to empower the local community
by marrying solar power generation with agriculture – also known as
agrivoltaics. Potential crops such as lettuce, kale, carrots, and a
variety of berries are anticipated to thrive alongside solar
panels, illustrating a harmonious balance between energy production
and urban farming. Lightstar is actively seeking urban farming
partners that can provide fresh, local, and sustainably farmed
produce and livestock products to the people of Detroit. These collaborations are intended to
fortify Detroit's food
distribution systems, ensuring that the fruits of this project
nourish the city's residents for decades to come.
Lightstar is dedicated to ensuring the project's positive ripple
effects are felt throughout the community. Through the
administration of Community Benefits packages, Lightstar will
provide energy efficiency upgrades to qualifying homeowners in the
neighborhoods directly touched by the project, enhancing their
quality of life and cementing a legacy of community-focused
progress. These upgrades, coupled with frequent community check-ins
to incorporate feedback into the project design, will deliver a
project that neighborhoods want to see.
In a significant move towards inclusivity and cultural
awareness, Lightstar has partnered with JIMA Studio to roll out a
comprehensive community engagement strategy. With its trailblazing
work in landscape architecture and urban planning, JIMA Studio
offers a unique approach that centers on the needs and aspirations
of Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities in Detroit. JIMA Studio's mission, "Empowering
partners to transform communities in forward-thinking ways,"
perfectly aligns with Lightstar's goals and work philosophy. By
leveraging JIMA Studio's expertise and Lightstar's resources, the
partnership aims to foster resilient communities that honor
cultural heritage while promoting sustainable development. The
initiatives will not only improve the quality of life for residents
but also provide opportunities for local businesses and artists to
flourish.
"We are excited to partner with the City of Detroit on this project. The
'Locally-Sited Utility-Scale Solar' initiative represents not just
a significant leap towards sustainable urban development, but a
reimagining of how cities can integrate green technologies with
community health and prosperity," said Tom
Brown, COO at Lightstar. "By leveraging the power of solar
energy in concert with urban agriculture, we aim to illuminate a
promising path forward for Detroit's communities, supporting the city's
ambitious goals for a renewable future as outlined in the Detroit
Climate Strategy. This is about more than just energy; it's about
community empowerment, economic development, and taking concrete
steps towards addressing climate change. Together, with the people
of Detroit, we are planting the
seeds of growth for a brighter, greener tomorrow."
"This project is not just about generating renewable energy;
it's about cultivating hope, fostering resilience, and sowing the
seeds of a sustainable future for all Detroit residents," said Brianna Fiorillo, Policy & Strategy Manager,
Midwest at Lightstar who played a pivotal role in the successful
submission of the project RFP with the City. "Through a partnership
with American Farmland Trust (AFT) and Michigan State University Agricultural Extension,
Lightstar intends to use the data gathered from this project to
inform and inspire similar initiatives nationwide, blazing a trail
for the integration of agrivoltaics across the country."
For more information about the "Locally-Sited Utility-Scale
Solar" project and upcoming community engagement opportunities,
please visit the official city project website at
https://detroitmi.gov/government/mayors-office/office-sustainability/solar-neighborhoods.
About Lightstar
Lightstar Renewables is a greenfield community solar developer
dedicated to advancing the global shift towards sustainable energy.
Based in Boston, Lightstar is an
independent power producer (IPP) with a visionary approach to the
development, construction, and ownership of community solar energy
systems. Established in 2019, Lightstar has been at the forefront
of the clean energy transition, championing solar solutions that
benefit people, places, and our planet as a long-term owner and
operator of community solar farms across the US. With a pipeline of
over 1000 Megawatts (MWs) and growing, Lightstar's mission is to
build solar for the land and community, stewarding the land and
integrating local ecology and agriculture with every project.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lightstar-and-the-city-of-detroit-illuminate-the-future-with-innovative-neighborhood-agrivoltaic-solar-302181469.html
SOURCE Lightstar Renewables, LLC