Goals and Objectives

The primary goals for the Green Rd Community Solar Project are to advance renewable energy adoption, support local agriculture, and provide tangible community benefits.

Our specific objectives include:

• Construct and operate a 2.75 MW-AC CSEGS to provide clean energy to the local grid.

• Implement a comprehensive agrivoltaics plan that allows for meaningful agricultural revenue from the parcel, aligning with state farmland tax regulations.

• Ensure the project design and operation meet or exceed all local and state environmental regulations, with a focus on zero impact to sensitive features.

• Achieve a successful Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) submittal by November 2025.

• Offer local community members an opportunity to subscribe to a clean energy source, reducing their carbon footprint and potentially lowering energy costs.

Methodology and Approach

Lightstar employs a holistic approach that aligns project development, construction, and long-term operation with our core ethos of benefiting people, the community, the planet, and profit.

Agrivoltaics Integration:
The project is defined as an agrivoltaic system where solar energy production and agricultural activities are fully integrated on the same land. The system will be designed to support ongoing agricultural use, ensuring the land continues to generate meaningful revenue as a farm, in accordance with Maryland's farmland tax rules. This dual-use model is central to the project's design and purpose.

Environmental Compliance:
Proactive environmental due diligence is a cornerstone of our methodology. For the Green Rd project, we have taken the following steps:

• Completed comprehensive wetland and environmental fieldwork, designing the project layout to avoid all located features entirely.

• Hosted a site visit with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) on May 1, 2025, and have obtained confirmation of impact avoidance.

• Finished geotechnical work and secured a Groundwater Appropriation Permit Exemption from MDE.

• Conducted consultations with the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT), Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), all of which identified no concerns.

Project Management:
Lightstar's unique position as a developer, builder, and long-term owner-operator ensures that every phase of the project is executed with the highest standards. We are committed to fostering positive relationships with the community and all stakeholders throughout the project's lifecycle. An anticipated CPCN submittal is planned for November 2025, with further project details and exhibits to be made publicly available on the Public Service Commission website.

Alignment with Lightstar's Mission

Founded in 2019, Lightstar Renewables is dedicated to building solar projects that benefit the land, the surrounding communities, and the broader environment. The Green Rd Community Solar Project is a direct reflection of this mission. By maximizing the land's potential through agrivoltaics, adopting sustainable practices, and creating opportunities for community engagement with clean energy, this project embodies our vision. Because we own and operate our assets long-term, our commitment extends far beyond construction, ensuring the project remains a positive and productive feature of the Baldwin community for decades to come.

Conclusion

The Green Rd Community Solar Project is more than just solar panels; it is a forward-thinking model for how renewable energy and agriculture can thrive together. Through careful planning, environmental stewardship, and a commitment to community benefits, this project will deliver clean energy, support local farming, and serve as an example of sustainable development in Maryland. We thank our partners, local officials, and the community for their collaboration and look forward to bringing this innovative project to fruition.