About Solar Energy

Case Studies | Technology | Incentives

Farmers have a lot of experience in using solar energy – to grow crops. Farmers can also tap solar energy on the farm: Commercially available solar technologies can help you capture the sun's energy to provide heat, hot water and electricity for your farm, ranch, home or business.  You pay for the equipment, but the fuel is FREE.

Some solar technologies provide surprisingly quick paybacks and long-term relief from high propane, natural gas and other fossil fuel prices.

Farmer operating solar-powered electric fence
(NREL/Warren Gretz)

Read about two family farms who have used solar systems to become better stewards of the land while improving their bottom lines. If you're interested in applying for a grant for a solar system, see our 'Solar Incentives' section below.

  • Goat Lady Dairy, a cheese-producing dairy in the rolling hills of Greensboro, North Carolina.
  • Talley Ho Dairy , a milk-producer, situated on the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Solar Technologies

For your farm, ranch or small business, there are a number of solar technologies and applications that you may want to consider.

Photovoltaic technology turns sunlight directly into electricity.  It is particularly useful for providing electric power to remote locations or off the grid.

Solar PV-powered water pumping facility
(NREL/Jerry Anderson)

Some applications include:

Solar water heating allows you to displace fuels such as propane, natural gas or electricity to heat water.  This can be an attractive investment for operations that use large quantities of hot water.

Some applications include:

  • Laundromats, restaurants
  • Dairy operations using hot water to clean milking equipment, milk storage tanks, etc.
  • Poultry processing plants
  • Learn more about solar water heating applications for farmers and ranchers or for rural businesspeople.

Solar air and space heating also allows you to displace fuels such as natural gas and propane that have recently faced large price increases.

Some applications include:

  • Solar air heating for livestock operations that need careful temperature control
  • Solar space heating using hot water for radiant floors and bench heating in greenhouses
  • Learn more about solar space heating applications for farmers and ranchers or for rural businesspeople.

Solar Incentives

Flat plate collector
(NREL/Aspen CORE)

You may be able to improve the economics of your solar project by taking advantage of a number of federal and state incentives:

  • Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Program (Section 9006) provides up to 25% of the cost of solar energy systems for qualified farms, ranches and rural businesses. 
    • NEW: Solar thermal sample application is now available! This document, approved by the National Renewable Energy Lab, will speed up the process of your applying for a small solar thermal system grant under the Section 9006 program!
  • Value-Added Producer Grants (Section 6401) can be used to finance business planning and feasibility studies for your solar energy system. 
  • Federal tax credits for solar are in effect 1/1/2006 – 12/31/2007, go to: www.energytaxincentives.org  or www.seia.org for the Guide to New Federal Credits for Solar Energy
  • State-level incentives for renewable energy, including solar, go to: www.dsireusa.org

To find solar installers in your area: www.findsolar.com