Jackson County approves new ‘agrivoltaics’ solar project combining energy and agriculture

JACKSON COUNTY, Ill. (WSIL) — A new community solar project is moving forward in Jackson County — one that combines renewable energy production with agricultural use through a practice known as agrivoltaics.

The Jackson County Board recently approved a 1.25 megawatt solar project from Pivot Energy, making it the first project approved under the county’s solar ordinance adopted in 2025.

The project is expected to generate enough electricity to power more than 200 homes in the region.

“This project will bring renewable energy to Southern Illinois… and will offset the equivalent of about 200 homes in the area,” said Liz Reddington, Vice President of Project Development for Pivot Energy.

Reddington said the project has been in development for nearly two years, a process that included working through zoning approvals with Jackson County and completing interconnection studies with the utility.

A key part of the project is its use of agrivoltaics, a method that combines solar energy production with agricultural practices on the same land. Instead of mowing around solar panels, sheep will graze the land to manage vegetation throughout the life of the project.

“What the sheep will do is help us maintain the site and the vegetation underneath the panels for the life of the system… so instead of traditional mowing, we’re actually going to be having sheep on the site for our vegetation maintenance program,” she said.

The site will also include pollinator-friendly groundcover to support the surrounding environment.

Pivot Energy says it is actively looking to partner with local farmers and livestock owners to supply sheep for the project.

“We are actively looking for grazing partners… local shepherds or people that are familiar with grazing and have a flock of sheep that they need more space for,” Reddington said.

She added that the company hopes to build those partnerships locally as the project moves forward.

“We will be identifying a local partner to maintain this site for us… we’re always trying to grow that vendor opportunity because it does help bring more opportunity to local residents,” she said.

Pivot also plans to invest in local programs as part of the project.

“We will also be supporting local causes once the project is operational… focusing on workforce development, energy burden assistance, and agricultural preservation,” Reddington said.

The project will operate as a community solar installation, allowing local residents and businesses to subscribe and benefit from the electricity it generates.

Construction is expected to begin in early 2027.

Following construction, pollinator-friendly seed mixes will be planted and allowed to establish before sheep are introduced to the site.

Reddington said the company plans to continue working with the community and establish local grazing partnerships ahead of construction.

Pivot Energy currently has 64 solar projects in operation or development across Illinois, totaling more than 200 megawatts of capacity.