Question: Solar Farm or Corn Crop?

Residential Solar Array Lowers Power Bill and Reduces Carbon Production

Question: What happens when farmers begin planting solar panels instead of crops? That’s simple, less crops and more cleaner energy. Cleaner energy along with the conservation of power at home is the win-win we should all be looking for. Solar energy and weatherize homes, the new crop and the new harvest.

by Don Ames

With the rain today, I have to remind myself that solar panels produce juice even on cloudy days. I have enjoyed watching my power bill drop down to practically nothing as the sun and solar panels took over for the summer. Oh, ya,  about the farmers - farmers are always looking for a crop that will produce a profit and it seems there are a few farmers that are looking at growing solar panels to help their profit margin.

Not too far from here, two local farmers have made a deal with enXco, a renewable energy company. It’s  a good deal for all involved.

1. EnXco leases ground from farmer for a price that allows farmer to make a profit.

2. Local planning commission approves plan and land use application. Under local law, solar fields of up to 12 acres are conditional use on land zoned for farming. No long, painful public hearing process needed.

3. Local planning commission exercises power by requiring developer to plant a border of trees between road and solar project just to make themselves feel better.

4. EnXco benefits from local, State and Federal subsidies which makes the project financially affordable. Which means we all kick in some funding for the project through taxes. Since I own a very small piece of the solar panels, I want it known that I do not want the tree buffer. I want to see cleaner energy at work and I want other people to see the project so they have a closer connection with cleaner energy. 

5. Local power company has a feed-in tariff program which allows EnXco to connect to the grid and get paid for the juice that is produced.

6. Local homeowners pay the same price for the solar power as they pay for hydro and coal power.

7. After 25 years, the solar panels are removed. The farmer removes the trees so he can have his land back.

The first thing I think about is how much business can change in 25 years. Maybe the solar panels will be replaced and more added. Twenty five years is a long time. This solar project is just one of many that are planned across the country, the production of electricity is slowly changing for the better.

Thanks for stopping by and taking the time for this article…come back soon…but, I won’t leave the lights on for you!  Don Ames, www.detectenergy.com