Solar on farms can be an excellent way to create a sustainable power system for farms. The Energy District can help get you started. There are information on both community and government-owned solar. You can also find out how to power irrigation using solar panels. Find out the cost of solar panels to farmers.
Community solar
You can enjoy the benefits from solar power without needing to have rooftop solar panels installed on your property. Instead, you subscribe to a community solar project, which pumps clean energy into the grid. The government offers incentives that allow credits to be used to lower your electricity bills. You can start such projects by utilities, nonprofits or special purpose entities.
Visit the Community Solar Hub to learn more about this process. This resource offers information on how to build community solar farms and also contains a list of state-bystate listings of community solar farms. Grid Alternatives is another resource that can be useful. They are dedicated to making renewable energy affordable and accessible for all income levels.
Government-owned solar
A new Pennsylvania Senate bill seeks the Governor's blessing. Tom Wolf's plan for solar energy. Wolf led the administration in signing an agreement to purchase solar energy from farmers over a period of up to 15 years. A presidential order was issued calling for 40 percent renewable energy to be used by 2019. The Senate bill aims to create an incentive program for solar on farms and allow the state to sell renewable energy credits.
The Mammoth Solar facility, located in northwest Indiana, is an example of a successful Government owned solar on farms project. This project, which covers more than 13,000 acres in 2 counties, will generate enough power to power nearly a quarter of a million homes. A large solar farm will cost hundreds of million of dollars. However, the project has faced a number of setbacks.
Solar panels power irrigation
An efficient way to meet your water needs is to install a solar-powered irrigation system on a farming property. The three main components of the system include the solar panel (the pump), the controller and the controller. The pumps can provide up to one million litres water per day. Solar-powered irrigation systems are becoming more affordable. Farmers are finding they are able to save a lot of money.
Cost is not the only problem with solar-powered irrigation systems for farms. Farmers will need to do a load control analysis in order to make this option viable for their farms. This allows the system's rate to be reduced during periods of high use. In return, farmers accept limits on how much electricity they will use. Solar irrigation systems can take advantage of net metersing, which allows them to control their load.
Farmers pay for solar panels
You can reduce the cost of solar panels up to half if you are a farmer by applying for a USDA grant, or a federal solar tax credit. These incentives make solar panels a great investment for farmers and can even lower your utility bill. Solar panels are great for agricultural buildings that require large amounts of energy.
Your fuel bill can be reduced, but solar panels for farms could also increase your profits. Many farmers are realizing the potential of solar panel installation on their roofs and other unproductive areas as electricity prices continue to rise. Solar PV installations can generate electricity from their farm, reducing fuel consumption and increasing income.