How to Preserve Solar Energy: Best Practices for Beginners
With rising energy costs becoming more common across the United States, more businesses are turning to sustainable solutions. More specifically, there has been a recent surge in interest in the farming industry for solar energy. Using the power of the sun, solar energy has solidified itself as the favorite alternative energy solution for farmers. It’s easy to install, easy to maintain, and saves them money in the long run. However, solar energy is not a perfect solution, especially in areas where access to adequate sunshine throughout the year is limited. This means that farmers who maintain solar energy systems need to know how to preserve solar energy. At Sun Farmer’s Group, we have a unique focus on helping America’s farmers access the benefits of solar energy. In this article, we will go over best practices on how to preserve solar energy. 7 Ways to Preserve Solar Energy Before we dig too deep into the specifics on how to preserve solar energy, it’s important to understand what it means. In its simplest form, a solar energy system on a farm is going to produce energy based on a few factors, including the amount of adequate sunlight and the size of the system. When there are long periods of cloudy or inclement weather, the performance of the solar energy system will drop. During this time, it’s critical that farmers have preserved their energy usage during the optimal hours to make the most of the energy they have. Now that we’ve targeted why energy preservation is important, let’s look at some ways to do it. Solar energy storage. The most surefire way to have adequate energy on tap regardless of the conditions is to have a storage solution. The most common way for farmers to do this is through lithium-ion batteries or lead-acid batteries. These systems store excess energy that is generated on the most productive days for later use. This way, you can run equipment on your backup storage when sunshine is limited without having to rely on expensive backup grid energy for electricity. As you probably guessed, batteries aren’t the only storage solution. We do a deeper dive on the different methods of storing solar energy in this article. Conduct regular energy audits on your farm. Oftentimes, it’s less about the actual energy and more about the equipment using it. This is why it’s important to do a regular energy audit on your farm. Check for everything from compromised or inadequate insulation, leaks, and broken equipment. Running through routine audits of everything that uses solar energy on your farm will help you identify problem areas so that you can make your energy usage more efficient. Update to energy efficient equipment. Aside from home appliances, there are new technologies in the industrial and agricultural space that can make your operation more energy efficient. Everything from processing equipment to refrigeration equipment technology being built with low energy consumption in mind. Although the upfront cost of replacing equipment can be expensive, the potential for cost savings and energy preservation are undeniable. Install smart irrigation systems. Most modern irrigation systems have app-enabled capabilities that can track weather patterns and other outside conditions. This allows the system to water crops more efficiently and reduces waste. Less run time on irrigation can translate to low energy consumption, helping you preserve precious solar energy throughout the year. Upgrade your lighting packages to LED. Traditional lighting can have a profound impact on energy consumption for any business. This is specifically true for intensive farming operations where lighting is critical. Upgrading your traditional lights to LED can help move the needle in the right direction for your energy consumption. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, LEDs use up to 90% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. That not only means a massive energy savings but a cost savings on replacement lighting. Maintain your solar energy operation. Once your solar energy system is installed, it’s up to you to make sure it’s properly maintained and functioning correctly. This includes keeping your solar panels clean and monitoring them using integrated software. These softwares can help farmers pinpoint potential problems areas and make repairs as needed. A poorly maintained solar energy system can negatively affect your energy preservation efforts. Stay educated. There are constant innovations and updates being made in agriculture and industry to make energy preservation easier and more accessible. Staying up to date on the latest technology and research will ensure you can implement new energy-saving techniques and technologies as soon as they are available. Final Thoughts on How to Preserve Solar Energy Preserving your solar energy can be the difference between maintaining cost-free electricity on your farm and having to rely on backup grid energy. Finding several ways to preserve small amounts of energy throughout the year can add up to a massive cost savings. As an added bonus, making the most of your solar energy and finding ways to preserve it greatly reduce that chance that you will have to switch to non-renewable resources, making your operation more sustainable and reducing your carbon footprint. That’s good for you. Good for the planet. And most importantly, good for the future of your farm. The Sun Farmer’s Group Difference Sun Farmer’s Group is the first true turnkey solution for agricultural solar energy. Our proprietary program has brought all of the in-house expertise to the table in grant writing, financing, tax credit monetization, installation, and so much more. Unlike other companies, Sun Farmer’s Group empowers farmers with a no-money down solution that greatly reduces and eventually eliminates your power bill altogether. The future of dairy farming is as bright as the sun, and we’ll help you turn it into power! Get in Touch If you’re ready to learn more about how Sun Farmer’s Group can help you put more money in your pocket, call 877-417-3222 today!
Can Solar Energy Be Stored? An Agricultural Solar Energy Company Answers
In recent years, we have seen the adoption of solar energy everywhere from residential systems to off-the-grid recreational vehicles. Even more recently, rural farming operations have started to see the benefits and cost savings of solar energy. At Sun Farmer’s Group, we specialize in bringing solar energy to the farmers across America. One critical question we get from clients is “can solar energy be stored”? In this article, we will answer that question and discuss the specifics of storing solar energy. Understanding the Importance of Agricultural Solar Energy If you are a farmer, it is no surprise that agriculture is an energy-intensive industry. You also know that finding room in the profit margins is becoming harder year over year. From the rising costs of goods to the skyrocketing electricity bills, farmers have had little to no options available to them. Agricultural solar energy gives farmers an opportunity to harness a clean, renewable energy source. Even better, using solar energy replaces a growing energy bill with a more manageable loan payment. Eventually, farmers eliminate their energy bill entirely and sever their dependency on outside resources they can’t control. For some farmers, this is the difference between a profitable business and losing a family farm. How Solar Energy is Stored Can solar energy be stored? Yes, it can. It can be stored in more ways than one. The reason storage for solar energy is so important is because of how solar energy works. Essentially, solar panels can only harness the sun’s power and turn it into electricity when the sun is out. Excessive stretches of cloudiness and rain can affect solar energy production. This means that farmers need to make the most of peak sunlight hours and store their excess energy. Some farmers in areas where sunlight is not an issue choose to sell their excess energy directly to the power companies. We discuss this process called ‘net metering’ in another article! For now, let’s run through the different ways you can store solar energy. Battery storage. This is without a doubt the most common way to store excess solar energy for later use. Although you can use traditional lead-acid batteries to achieve this, lithium-ion batteries are much more efficient, maintenance free, and last longer. Having a full rack of batteries charged and ready to run other important gear and equipment is an effective way to turn excess solar energy into working power regardless of the weather. If the cost of lithium-ion batteries is a barrier to entry, the lead-acid alternative is cheaper up front to get you started with storing solar energy. Thermal storage. Less common than battery storage for agricultural applications, thermal storage uses solar energy to bring a medium such as water to a high temperature. Later, the hot water can be used to generate electricity. The benefit here is that this heat can be stored long-term and be used on an as-needed basis during times of limited sunlight so that production can continue without incurring extra energy costs. Mechanical storage. Although this style of solar energy storage is more suitable for large, industrial applications, it can be deployed in some agricultural settings. The excess solar energy used to pump water to an elevation. When energy is needed, the water can be released to drive turbines that generate electricity. The beauty of this method is that it can generate a massive amount of electricity. The potential downside is that it takes a lot of resources to build the infrastructure necessary to have a system this size and it is not necessarily obtainable for the small- to medium-sized business. Things to Consider Before Storing Solar Energy Storing solar energy for your farm is a good idea no matter how you slice it. However, not every energy storage solution is right for you. Every farm and every farmer is different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to storing your solar energy. Below are some things to consider before finding the right solar energy storage system for you. Upfront cost. Getting a solar energy storage solution up and running will certainly have a cost associated with it. However, no two systems are alike. For instance, a small battery rack can be set up in a way that is cost-effective for a solo practitioner. An industrial mechanical set up is a different story, often costing hundreds of thousands to set up and requiring more land and potential permitting. Make sure you understand the costs associated and what is attainable for you. Infrastructure and capex. Some solar energy storage solutions can take up an enormous amount of space. On top of that, depending on the set up, they will require routine maintenance to remain in good, working condition. Lastly, you want to make sure your capex budget is adjusted to include maintenance, upgrades, and repairs to any new system that is installed. Regulatory concerns. Depending on where you are in the United States, different states have different guidelines regarding solar energy and storage solutions. Farmers who are hoping to start storing their energy should educate themselves on state regulations to ensure they are operating safely and legally. Final Thoughts on Whether Solar Energy Can Be Stored The question “can solar energy be stored” is an easy one to answer. It absolutely can be and should be stored to make the most of your solar energy harvesting. Whether you are dealing with intermittent cloudiness and inclement weather, having stored energy on tap will ensure your operations are uninterrupted without having to rely on grid electricity for backup. How Sun Farmer’s Group Can Help Sun Farmer’s Group is the first true turnkey solution for agricultural solar energy. Our proprietary program has brought all of the in-house expertise to the table in grant writing, financing, tax credit monetization, installation, and so much more. Unlike other companies, Sun Farmer’s Group empowers farmers with a no-money down solution that greatly reduces and eventually eliminates your power bill altogether. The future is as bright as the sun, and we’ll help
How Does Solar Energy Turn Into Electricity: A Simple Guide
As the world increasingly embraces sustainable energy solutions, solar energy has emerged as the most accessible and easy to implement. For farmers, particularly those in rural America, solar power offers a promising pathway to reduce energy costs and increase self-sufficiency. However, the ins and outs of how solar energy actually works is still somewhat of a mystery to most. At Sun Farmer’s Group, we specialize in giving solar energy to farmers all over the United States and have a deep understanding of the latest in solar technology. But if we take a step back, how does solar energy turn into electricity? How does it work? In this article, we will take a deep dive into understanding how solar energy works on its most basic level. Understanding Solar Energy and Photovoltaic Technology Solar energy takes the sun’s light and heat and converts it into electricity through a series of technologies. The most common method of conversion is photovoltaic (PV) technology. This system uses solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity. Here’s how it works! Photovoltaic cells. The key component of solar panels is the photovoltaic cell. These cells are usually made from silicon. These silicon cells generate electricity through something called the photovoltaic effect. The sun’s rays emit photons. When these photons come in contact with the surface of the photovoltaic cells, the electrons in the silicon atoms become displaced. This creates an electrical current when the electrons flow through the material. Solar panels. Each solar panel is made up of a series of several photovoltaic cells that work together to harness power from the sun. This increases the potential amount of power output per panel. When sunlight hits the panels, each cell contributes to the overall electricity of the solar system and maximizes the amount of usable energy per panel. The bigger the panel and number of panels, the more potential power output. Inverter technology. If the photovoltaic cells harness all of the energy, how does it convert into usable electricity? The energy generated by the solar panels is direct current or known as DC. The problem is that most machines and equipment require alternative current (AC). This is where inverters come into play. An inverter for a solar energy system converts the DC power into usable AC power. Without the inverter technology, solar energy would not be usable for most applications. How Solar Energy Works for Farmers Solar energy is uniquely advantageous for farmers, specifically because of the potential cost savings. However, converting a farm into one that uses solar energy is more involved than a simple residential installation. There are several key steps you need to take before you can get up and running. Let’s take a look at some of them. Site assessment and planning. Installing solar on your farm takes a lot of planning. Everything from sun exposure to the land itself needs to be assessed by a professional to determine the optimal configuration for your operation. After a complete assessment, a solar professional will be able to come up with a tailored solution that works perfectly for you. Design and installation. Once your land and operation have been assessed, a professional will be able to move into the design phase of your project. Based on the takeaways from the initial assessment, your installer will be able to determine the optimal design for your farm, including everything from the number of panels and the location of the panels to your inverters. With a design approved, your vendor will be able to install the system. Depending on the size of the system, this could take anywhere from a couple of days to weeks. Integrate with existing energy systems. If your farm has any secondary or backup energy systems, it’s possible to seamlessly integrate your solar system with it. This is also a potential opportunity to set up a net metering solution, an opportunity to sell excess energy back to the power companies. Depending on what state you live in, this can be a source of supplemental income for your farm. Read more about net metering in this article. Ongoing maintenance. Once installed, your solar system is up and running and producing electricity for your farm. Although ongoing maintenance should be minimal, there are things you will need to do to keep your solar system running optimally, including keeping your panels clean and using software to monitor the performance. If you notice a dip in performance, most modern solar softwares are able to pinpoint the issue so you can expedite a repair and get your system back up and running at 100%. Now, you’re well on your way to all of the benefits that come along with running your farm on solar energy. This includes a massive cost savings on electricity, a cleaner operation, and an opportunity to scale profits like never before. In some industries, growing crops with solar energy can even be a marketable selling point for products. Read more about how consumer behaviors have changed and how sustainable practices have become profitable for farmers. Final Thoughts About How Does Solar Energy Turn Into Electricity Solar energy technology is pretty simple at its core, but it’s necessary to understand how it works so that you can be informed before installing. As long as you trust a reputable solar energy installer, you should be able to implement solar power on your farm without any problems. There are more advancements in solar happening every day, and the future of solar energy is brighter than ever, especially for farmers. How Sun Farmer’s Group Can Help Sun Farmer’s Group is the first true turnkey solution for agricultural solar energy. Our proprietary program has brought all of the in-house expertise to the table in grant writing, financing, tax credit monetization, installation, and so much more. Unlike other companies, Sun Farmer’s Group empowers farmers with a no-money down solution that greatly reduces and eventually eliminates your power bill altogether. The future is as bright as the sun, and we’ll help you
