By Taylor Leach, Agweb, Powered By The Farm Journal
During the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin 2021 Business Conference, Adam Wehling, Dean of Agriculture, Energy and Transportation at Chippewa Valley Technical College, spoke on how to easily incorporate a solar energy system onto your ag operation. According to Wehling, these systems can be easily integrated into your existing facilities, can improve the efficiency of the systems you currently have and can reduce your overall energy cost. Factors to Consider: Continue reading here.
Photo: Don Gasper’s Farm Near Lindsay, Nebraska. See Solar Examples for more solar projects on local farms.
SOLAR WATER PUMPS
An equitable and reliable solar power grid for farmers, by Praveen Jain, IEEE Medal in Power Engineering recipient, Solar Power World
Born in rural India and being at the global forefront of technology over the past 40 years, I can say with certainty that farmers in many countries are not seeing the true benefits of solar power. Possibly the biggest and best benefit of solar power for farmers is solar water pumps used for irrigation. Powered by sunlight that is harvested through photovoltaic (PV) panels, solar pumps boost crop yield, promote efficient water use and reduce power consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Off-season, these solar installations can feed power to the local grid, providing extra income for farmers.
REGENERATIVE FARMING
- Five Reasons Why I Started Using Conservation Practices On My Farm, AgWeb
This article was written by Keith Mears, who farms with his family near Delphi, Ind., and is a Conservation Steward with the America’s Conservation Ag Movement. - Agriculture as a carbon sink?, Trust in Food: A Farm Journal Initiative
- Horstmann Cattle Co. Brings Regenerative Farming to St. Louis Metro Area, The Missourian
- New Evidence Shows Fertile Soil Gone From Midwestern Farms, NPR
U.S. FARMERS & RANCHERS IN ACTION REPORT
This report focuses on six established practices: 1) no-till/reduced tillage with retained residues, 2) cover crops, 3) crop rotation, 4) compost application 5) managed grazing, and 6) integrated crop and livestock systems—all of which improve soil health, sequester carbon and produce numerous co-benefits such as reduced erosion, increased water infiltration, and economic and environmental resiliency. With technology and financial innovation targeted at specific practice adoption barriers, these benefits will accrue on the farm, throughout rural America and the agriculture value chain, and the nation as a whole.
PACE
Spotlight on PACE: PACE Projects From Downtown Redevelopments to Dairy Farms, National Law Review
Before taking a look at some of the ways the market has used PACE over the last few years, here’s a synopsis of just what exactly PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) is.
Links to PACE Resources
Nebraska passed PACE-enabling legislation in 2016.
INNOVATIVE VIRGINIA PROGRAM
In Virginia, solar ‘barn raisings’ bring power to families in need, by Elizabeth McGowan, Energy News Network
A pair of Shenandoah Valley nonprofits have launched a fund to cover the upfront cost of outfitting Habitat for Humanity homes with photovoltaic panels that help put a dent in homeowners’ utility bills.
ALSO OF POTENTIAL INTEREST
- Steps for mid-sized US companies considering solar, PV Magazine
Smaller companies can benefit from solar and are often expected to do so by large companies that need to trim the environmental impact of their supply chains. Here are four steps to take when considering solar. - Solar panels and batteries on your home could help prevent the next grid disaster, National Geographic. Even small systems like those that kept the lights on for some Texas homeowners could play a role in protecting the bigger electricity system, experts say.
- Federal agencies unveil goal to deploy 30 GW of offshore wind in the U.S. by 2030, American Public Power Association
- State Farm Announces Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goal and Release of First Environmental, Social, and Governance Report, State Farm News Release, PR Newswire