CSU Solar Assessment for Feedlots and Diversified Farms with Animal Agriculture

Colorado State University Offers Free Solar Assessments for Animal Feeding Operations

FORT COLLINS, COLORADO. Colorado State University’s Rural Energy Center is offering free solar energy assessments for Colorado animal feeding operations. The assessments will provide feedlots and diversified farms that include livestock with estimated system sizes, costs, savings, and other information needed to decide whether investing in a solar array is a sound investment. Solar systems could be installed on buildings, open space, or even as shade structures over open feedlots. The solar arrays to be evaluated would be tied into the grid and used to offset the electricity costs of pumping water, lighting, ventilation, or other agricultural uses.

The timing of the project is driven by a few factors. Costs for solar panels have decreased by 75% in the last five years. The 30% federal tax credit for solar will be reduced after 2019. USDA, the sponsor of the project, offers 25% grants for the installation of renewable energy systems by agricultural producers. In addition, the Colorado Department of Agriculture has also agreed to provide funding for solar PV project in agriculture that show the promise of being cost-effective. Applications from operations with at least one meter on a Small Commercial or equivalent utility rate are particularly encouraged, as energy prices tend to be relatively high on these rates.

CSU is accepting applications on an ongoing basis up to a limit of 30. Applicants must receive 51% or more of their gross receipts from agriculture. Visit www.rec.colostate.edu/fase to submit the short application. Cary Weiner, CSU Rural Energy Center Director, can be contacted with questions: cary.weiner@colostate.edu or (970) 491-3784.