Services for Farms

Energy Efficiency and Solar Energy
Bring Big Savings to North Country Farmers

Commercial dairy farms can spend up to 40% of their energy usage heating and pumping large amounts of water to clean equipment. Poultry farms and greenhouses must maintain temperatures during cold North Country winters. There are many places your farm can save energy and money.

An energy audit can help farm owners understand how to manage their energy costs. The audit fee depends on the size of the operation. NYSERDA pays the first $1500 and most farm audits in the North Country end up being free. Some of the things audits generally look at are pumping, cooling and lighting on dairy farms, and heating and lighting in greenhouse operations. To implement recommended energy improvements, low cost loans and rebates are available.

Solar energy can supply and supplement many farm energy requirements. Solar hot water systems, solar dryers, solar greenhouses, solar photovoltaic electric systems and solar water pumps for remote applications may be a good choice. Assistance is available on solar feasibility studies to let the farmer know whether a renewable energy system will work, plus rebates of up to 50% on the cost of installation.

If you would like more information on this program, please call 315-379-9466, email CES and consult the NYSERDA website at www.getenergysmart.org

Farm Energy Audits

As you drive up to Gary and Connie Menard’s Happy Haven Farm in Mooers, your eyes are quickly drawn to the six solar arrays that sit alongside their machinery barn. Each array contains 12 solar panels. Six trackers utilize sunlight to slowly move the arrays, keeping them at optimal angles for sunlight collection.

According to the Menards, “generating electricity from the sun makes economic and environmental sense.” The Menards see their solar electric system as “an investment in self-reliance, greater independence from rising power costs and a clean, environmentally sound way of generating power.”

The Menards are utilizing their new 12.6 kilowatt solar electric system to supplement power to their dairy farm. Their system is expected to produce a minimum of 22,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually and reduce their costs for electricity by roughly 25%.

The grid-connected photovoltaic system was installed by Triangle Electric Systems, a PV installer in Plattsburgh who participates in NYSERDA’s incentive program. The first step was a NYSERDA energy audit. The Menard’s system was financed through a combination of grants, a loan and federal tax credits.

NYSERDA incentives typically cover 40-50% of the installed costs of grid-connected solar PV systems. The USDA granted 25% of the total project cost.