Generate Energy on the Farm

By the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. Biomass crops, converted vegetable oil or animal manure, windmills and solar panels - across America, farmers are increasingly exploring a range of energy technologies to "grow" energy on the farm. Some produce primarily for their own use, while others generate enough energy to sell back to the grid or in biofuels markets.

Many farmers combine different renewable energy sources to develop highly self-sufficient systems.
In Minnesota, Steven Schwen uses both solar and biomass to heat his greenhouse.
In Vermont, John Williamson constructed a passive solar facility where he will produce biodiesel from locally grown canola, mustard and flax.
In Missouri, Dan West is developing a prototype solar concentrator to help power his waste-fruit ethanol still.

Tap into the Wind

In recent years, government incentives and tax credits and consumer demand for green energy have spurred huge growth in wind energy generation. Modern turbines are now powering individual farms. And across the "wind states" - those located in the Great Plains, Midwest and West - the tall, white towers of mass-scale wind farms have become common sights.

Jess Alger, a fourth-generation Montana rancher, used do-it-yourself installation and federal and state incentives to make wind power economical. In 2003, Alger installed a 100-foot tower that now provides electricity for his home and 1,200-acre ranch. In total, the system cost $36,850 less than normal because he did not pay a dealer and prepared the site himself. He also obtained funding from USDA and the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT). Today, Alger produces electricity in excess of his needs.

Wind is not limited to just the West or Midwest. Leonardo Busciglio bought and installed a decommissioned wind tower from California for his New York farm. The SARE grant recipient knew he had a wind tunnel in the valley near his house, and although he paid more to ship the 10 kW turbine than buy it, he estimates a payback of only five years, thanks to his reduced electric bill.

Choosing an appropriate small-scale system depends on a farmer's needs and site. Smaller turbines requiring less wind can run a water pump; bigger turbines can provide the farm's entire electrical needs. While the amount of wind needed varies, a rule of thumb is that a location should have a minimum of Class 2 winds. If wind speeds are too low, due either to climate or not enough tower height, the system will not produce enough energy to be economically viable.