Renewable Energy on Farms

Contributor: Crystal Ade

Wind Energy

Wind energy is harnessed by the wind turning blades on a turbine which power a generator used to produce electricity. The average cost of small wind turbines was $10,117/kW in 2017. Small wind turbines, which are commonly used on farms, are machines with a capacity under 100 kW. Wind power is the best source of renewable energy for farms. The highest wind speeds in the United States coincide with the location of farmlands.

 
 

Solar Energy

Photovoltaic solar panels generate electricity through semiconductors. Electrons in semiconductors are excited by the solar energy and move through a circuit to generate electricity. Residential solar panel sets cost between $15,000 and $40,000. The solar panels itself can cost between $4,000 to $16,000 and installation can cost between $2,000 and $5,000. Farmers can co-locate solar and crop production on their farms. They can pay a lower up-front cost because there is no need to prepare the land beforehand for installation. The solar power generated can also be used to power irrigation equipment.

Solar Heating and Cooling and Concentrating Solar Power use heat from the sun to provide space and/or water heating. Passive solar energy can also be used to heat greenhouses, which extends the growing season for small farmers. A solar water heater can also reduce heating costs up to 85% annually.

Solar panels are expensive and only about 20% efficient. Materials used to make photovoltaic cells are often mined in third world countries with little regulation on the disposal of hazardous waste from the production of the cells. 

Solar energy is decently popular in Hunterdon County, but installation is too expensive. Oil is the preferred energy source on farms.

 
 

Biomass 

Biomass is organic material from plants and animals that is burned to create energy. The heat generated from burning biomass can be used directly to heat homes or dry crops, or it can be converted into liquid biofuel or biogas and be used as fuel in those forms. 

Ethanol is the most popular type of biofuel. It comes from crops such as corn and sugarcane that is fermented, distilled, and then used to fuel vehicles. Biogas can also be converted directly into hydrogen or methane and used as fuel cells which are highly efficient. 

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, “Tripling U.S. use of biomass for energy could provide as much as $20 billion in new income for farmers and rural communities and reduce global warming emissions by the same amount as taking 70 million cars off the road.” 

Some downsides of biomass is that the burning releases greenhouse gases, just like fossil fuels, and these pollutants are often not captured and recycled. Biodiesel also performs poorly in cold weather and can form sediments if stored for long periods of time.

Applications

The Renewable Energy for Agriculture Program is a program from the California Climate Investments. The goal is to use a portion of cap and trade money collected from CCI to build renewable energy sources on farms. 

PSCI