agriculture.jpg

Using Solar to Increase Agriculture Efficiency

Harnessing the sun’s natural energy is a sustainable and cost-effective way to bring energy to your home, but the agriculture industry is beginning to see the benefits of solar on the farm. Using solar can help dry crops, heat buildings, and power water pumps which adds efficiency to the every-growing agriculture industry. According to an article by the Union of Concerned Scientists, all the energy that is currently stored in our planet’s coal, oil, and natural gas reserves is equivalent to the energy produced in just 20 days of sunshine. In this blog, we explain how solar energy is used in agriculture.

CROP AND GRAIN DRYING

One of the oldest uses of solar energy is for crop and grain drying. Implementing solar drying equipment allows crops to not only dry quicker, but they are dried more evenly. Leaving crops and grains in the field to dry after harvest puts them at risk to be damaged by birds, pests, and weather climates. Although farmers may shy away from the potential costs associated with installing a solar collector for crop and grain drying, solar collectors can be used all throughout the year, making them a cost-effective piece of agriculture equipment.

REMOTE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

Using PV solar panels on farms, which require a significant amount of energy to operate each day, is less expensive than installing new electrical lines to bring power to remote locations. Because PV solar panels do not need fuel, nor do they have any moving parts, they can be easily operated and maintained. Farmers can use PV panels for electric fences, lights, and water pumps in the farm.

At SunPower by Alternative Energy Systems, we have the skill and experience to guide our customers to a brighter and more sustainable future in just a few easy steps. If you’re considering making the switch to solar, we invite you to contact our dedicated team today.

Get started with a free estimate! Call our Chico solar installation specialists today at (855) 419-1488.