Project Spotlight: Ag Technologies’ Award-Winning Solar Installation at Curtis Creek Dairy

In Fair Oaks, Indiana, a cutting-edge dairy operation is leading the way in sustainable agriculture with a solar installation designed to match the pace and precision of modern farming. Designed and installed by Ag Technologies, Inc., the 574.4kW AC system at Curtis Creek Dairy has been recognized as the AgriSolar Project of the Year in APsystems’ 2024 U.S. Installation Awards.


This year marked the introduction of the AgriSolar category, created to highlight the role of solar in supporting farms and food systems across North America. Ag Technologies received the inaugural award for their exceptional work helping Curtis Creek Dairy significantly offset energy use at its grain bin facility and dry cow barn—while ensuring 100% of the solar power is used onsite across the larger Fair Oaks Farms campus.


The project also carries special meaning. It is dedicated to the memory of James Straeter, the late owner of Ag Technologies, whose forward-thinking vision and deep commitment to sustainable agriculture continue to guide the company’s work and influence the broader industry.


To meet the site’s performance goals, Ag Technologies paired APsystems’ QT2 480V microinverters with their own Solarcam tracking system, which delivers about 7.5% more energy than a traditional fixed-tilt setup. The system starts producing earlier and continues later in the day than string inverter alternatives—maximizing output and reliability across the board.


“These inverters have met and exceeded production expectations,” said Mike Straeter, Manager at Ag Technologies. “The ability to monitor wattages, voltages, and system performance in detail is a huge advantage for a farm of this complexity.”
Panel-level reporting, high energy yield, and seamless onsite integration made APsystems microinverters the clear choice. Combined with Ag Technologies’ deep experience in agricultural installations, the system was designed not just for efficiency, but longevity and ease of operation.


“APsystems delivers where it counts: efficiency, performance, and support,” Straeter added. “That kind of consistency gives our customers peace of mind.”


This award-winning project is more than a solar install—it’s a reflection of the values that drive both the agriculture and solar industries forward. It’s a legacy project in every sense, delivering power, progress, and purpose to one of the country’s most innovative dairy operations.

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Illinois Net Metering & Smart Inverter Rebate

Net Metering

On January 1, 2025 1:1 net metering in Illinois changed to net supply only. This means that customer’s whose exports are greater than their consumption for over a monthly billing period, the electricity provider [if a public utility] will apply a 1:1 kWh or monetary credit to the customer’s subsequent bill [at the customer’s election] for supply only.

REMCs and municipalities will have slight differences. If a customer’s electricity provider is an REMC or municipality you should contact them for specific details on their individual net metering programs.

Smart Inverter Rebate

Provided the customer installs a smart inverter, customers are eligible to receive a rebate for their solar and storage systems. Those values are currently as follows:

Distributed Generation

  • $300/kW for residential and small commercial solar facilities; 0-25kW DC
  • $250/kW for community solar and large commercial and industrial solar facilities; 25-5000kW DC

Storage

  • $300/kWh for residential and small commercial storage [coupled with solar]; 0-25kW DC
  • $250/kW for community solar and large commercial and industrial solar facilities; 25-5000kW DC

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Illinois Shines Program Guidebook Review Materials and Quiz

Materials:

Key Points to Review for Spring 2025 Quiz

IPA: 2025-26 Illinois Shines Program Guidebook

Illinois Shines: Draft Program Guidebook – Updated 05/17/2025

Spring 2025 – Program Guidebook Quiz:

April 2025: Illinois Shines Program Guidebook Quiz

  • This quiz covers new and existing information provided in the Illinois Shines Program Guidebook

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Illinois Shines Standard Disclosure Form

Materials:

IL Shines PV System Purchase Disclosure Form

  • The linked Disclosure Form is the current version being used by the Illinois Shines Program for distributed generation purchases.

Distributed Generation Brochure

  • The informational brochure linked above must be provided in its entirety to the customer. It cannot be edited or modified. This brochure is typically provided at the time the Disclosure Form is presented to the customer.

Going Solar Flyer

  • Per the following Program requirement; for any Illinois Shines distributed generation offer where some, or all of the REC incentive value is paid to the customer after system energization, the Approved Vendor or Designee must provide a copy of the Going Solar flyer, review it with the customer, and provide the customer with an opportunity to ask questions.
  • This flyer is provided to the customer at the time the Disclosure Form is presented.

Circumstances Requiring New Disclosure Form Issuance and Signature

  • For instances when a project is subject to change there is a list the Program provides on what constitutes a new Disclosure Form be generated and signed by the customer. Those requirements are listed in the link above.
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Illinois Shines Distributed Generation Contract Requirements

Materials:

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