Solar panels for farms to promote sustainable energy in agriculture.
Overview
The Agricultural Solar Integration project seeks to merge farming with energy production, bringing renewable to
energy to rural areas while supporting agriculture.
The project generates 600,000 kWh of clean energy annually, helping to power essential farming operations while reducing reliance on traditional energy sources.
Farmers benefit from lower energy costs and additional income streams, as excess energy can be sold back to
the grid. This project reduces footprint of farms, from the contributing to sustainable agricultural practices.
Case Study
Green Valley Farms, a 200-acre organic produce farm located in California, specializes in growing high-demand crops like leafy greens, tomatoes, and berries.
The farm faces fluctuating energy costs and strives to operate sustainably to minimize environmental impact.
To reduce energy costs, increase operational resilience,
and transition to renewable energy to meet both from
financial and sustainability objectives.
With significant energy needs for irrigation, processing, and refrigeration, the farm’s utility bills were steadily rising. As
an organic farm, Green Valley Farms wanted to reduce its carbon footprint and align energy sources
Solar energy was used to power an irrigation system, of significantly reducing reliance on fossil fuels lowering significant energy the farm’s utility operating costs.
Additional info
Site Assessment and Design: After an assessment of the farm’s energy consumption patterns, a custom system design was created to maximize sun exposure and optimize land use.
Installation and Integration: Over a six-week period, solar panels and battery systems were installed with minimal disruption to farm operations.
Monitoring and Support: Remote monitoring technology was added, allowing farm managers to track energy production and usage
Cost Savings: The farm reduced its monthly energy costs by 65%, saving approximately $75,000 annually on electricity bills.
Energy Independence: With battery storage, the farm now operates independently during grid outages, ensuring the continuous
Environmental Impact: By switching to solar, Green Valley Farms offsets 150 tons CO₂ emissions per year, equivalent planting over 2,000 trees.
Increased Productivity: With consistent power, Green Valley Farms increased their yield by 10% by optimizing irrigation schedules improving through uninterrupted cold storage.