CEJA Success Story: Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith launched ADL Solutions in January 2022 with a vision that stretched far beyond typical electrical work. While the company provides commercial and residential electrical services, its specialty is developing agrivoltaic community solar projects that blend clean energy production with agricultural use and community investment.  

“Agrivoltaic means we mix energy with agricultural practices, and find dual uses for the land,” Joseph explained. “We’re placing solar panels alongside grazing sheep, honeybees, and row crops. We work with farmers and lease the land to them at little to no cost, and we try to make sure all of our projects are giving as many benefits back to the local community as possible.”  

The community solar projects provide communities with a stable, low-cost source of clean energy that isn’t impacted by rising electricity costs or outages. 

“Savings are the low‑hanging fruit, but we’re also building resiliency, training, jobs, and wealth,” Joseph said. “If there’s something the community wants to accomplish and the project can help, that’s what we do.”  

Joseph’s commitment to community‑centered clean energy led him to Elevate’s CEJA Contractor Incubator Program. He had been following CEJA’s rollout since 2021 and knew that small businesses like his needed access to information, capital, and networks to fully participate in Illinois’ growing clean energy economy. The incubator helped ADL Solutions strengthen its foundation and prepare for larger, more impactful projects. 

“The state is making a big effort to invest in clean energy, and it’s important for small businesses to get involved now so that we can take advantage of those incentives and embed ourselves in the industry,” Joe said. “Programs like these have proven themselves to be a barrier remover.”  

Through the incubator, Joseph participated in financial literacy training, learned how to structure his business for long‑term growth, and connected with funding sources that could support his upcoming solar developments. 

But for Joseph, the most transformative part of the incubator was the community it created. He connected with other small business owners who shared his commitment to equitable clean energy, forming partnerships that would expand ADL Solutions’ capacity and strengthen future projects. 

“I’m looking forward to partnering with some of the other cohort members on future projects,” Joe said. “They were an incredible resource. It helped me build capacity because I was able to connect with other local business owners who are going to be able to help me with project management, hauling away stuff, electrical work, and all kinds of things that I wouldn’t be able to do on my own.”  

Although the incubator has ended, Joe looks forward to staying in touch with the program coordinators as his business continues to grow.  

“They’ve let me know that this program is a continuous resource, and I can still get help with adjusting my business structure as our company continues to grow,” Joe said. “I’m looking forward to having that continued support so that our business expands properly. I know that I’ll be able to lean on the incubator anytime I face challenges in the future.”