NewsNBC Chicago – LocalJuly 1, 2026United States
Solar farms in Illinois are being used to support bees and butterflies
Solar energy companies in Illinois are planting native, pesticide-free vegetation under solar panels to create habitats for pollinators like bees and butterflies. This practice, known as agrivoltaics, allows solar sites to serve as both energy producers and conservation areas while providing stable lease income for local farmers.
Read the full story at NBC Chicago – LocalWhy It Matters
This practice changes how land is utilized in Illinois by combining solar energy production with pollinator conservation, providing farmers with long-term lease income on less productive land while potentially improving local crop yields through increased pollination.
Key Facts
- Solar companies are implementing 'agrivoltaics,' the practice of co-locating solar power generation with agricultural activities or pollinator habitats.
- One Nexamp project in Kane County features 7,000 solar modules integrated with native, pesticide-free flowering plants.
- Trajectory Energy has established 80 pollinator-friendly solar sites across Illinois.
- Solar sites using this method are designed to remain in operation for up to 40 years.
- Vegetation at these sites is maintained to stay active for 365 days a year.
- The practice involves planting native species that grow three feet or less to avoid shading the panels.
- Farmers lease land to solar companies, providing a source of long-term income on land deemed less productive for traditional row cropping.
- The sites are managed without the use of pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers.
- According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators.
Who's Mentioned
locationKane County“Location of a solar project with 7,000 modules.”personKeith Hevenor“Communications manager for Nexamp.”organizationTrajectory Energy“A Chicago-based solar company that has planted 80 pollinator-friendly solar site”organizationNexamp“A solar storage company co-headquartered in Chicago implementing pollinator-frie”personKiersten Sheets“Senior project development manager for Trajectory Energy.”locationFrench Road Solar“A solar site in Burlington, Illinois.”organizationUnited States Department of Energy“Defined the term agrivoltaics.”organizationFood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations“Provided data on global food crop dependence on pollinators.”