Solar For Agriculture

It is ironic when you realize that farmers used to use solar power when drying their crops and that windmills were once commonplace on the farm, even as late as the middle of the last century. The advent of cheap oil changed all that. Today, as oil prices continue to climb, farmers are again revisiting these old tried and true solutions. The realization that not only can these solar methods save them money, money might also be made from the generation of PV (photovoltaic, also solar) power. As the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy says,” Solar for agriculture can supply and/or supplement many farm energy requirements.”

Using the sun to dry crops is one of the oldest applications of solar energy. Some crops can dry naturally in the fields and some can be picked and then laid out in the sun to dry. The drawbacks of this practice are the hazards of birds, insects, and other animals feeding on the laid-out crops, or the contamination of the crops by dust, dirt, or rain. A solar dryer is much more efficient and clean.

Livestock and dairy herds, and other animals raised inside buildings, need substantial air and water heating. Solar air and space heaters can be used to preheat incoming fresh air in the winter and can induce or increase natural ventilation during the summer. Solar for water heating can be used extensively in dairy barns, cleaning equipment and to warm and stimulate cow's udders.

Solar greenhouses can eliminate gas or oil heaters while providing warmth. Cooling systems may be used for growing during the summer, and growing seasons may be extended. Depending on materials used, a small, build your own greenhouse could cost as little as $500.00.

For remote electrical applications, PV systems can be much cheaper than installing power lines and step down transformers. In the area of electrical fencing, lighting, and water pumping, PV power is a much less expensive alternative. One other advantage of PV power is that in many cases it can be moved from field to field or wherever it is needed.

Farmers and ranchers generating and selling renewable solar and PV energy may be a new value-added incentive for agricultural production. Windmills and solar arrays do not have to take up a large tract of land, so the farmer or rancher could definitely find that their own energy generation brings a very welcome cash infusion. In these financially strapped times, some farms have had to find other ways to bring money in, such as bed and breakfasts, roadside stands, or even hayrides. A solar array and a couple of windmills might begin to look pretty good.