Renewable energy on farms

CET has helped Gould Farm, Howden Farm and Brookfield Farm produce clean and responsible energy from the sun. Gould Farm's 7 kW photovoltaic system is made up of 63 solar modules manufactured by Evergreen Solar of Marlborough, Mass. These modules are projected to remain functional for 30 years. Each year, they will generate the amount of electricity used by two energy efficient New England households.

The Harvest Barn is an appropriate site for the solar panels since it serves both guests at the Farm and the public. On weekends during the growing season, the Harvest Barn sells produce and other farm products. Visitors will see the panels and be able to learn more about how solar energy works.

Discussions about solar energy at the farm began as part of the Center for Ecological Technology’s (CET) project with the Sustainable Education and Research program of the USDA to encourage farms to increase energy efficiency and explore appropriate uses for renewable energy technologies. CET coordinated the installation through an incentive program funded by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) Renewable Energy Trust. The U.S. Department of Energy contributed grant support. Conservation Services Group (CSG) Services of Westborough, MA is the designer and general contractor.

Also supporting the installation are the customers of New England GreenStart^tm, a green power offering provided by CET and Massachusetts Energy Consumers Alliance. GreenStart encourages support for clean energy sources by customers of Massachusetts Electric Company.

The Howden Farm in Sheffield, MA is famous for the Howden pumpkin and the Howden Biggie, long lasting jack'o'lanterns, that were developed by Bruce Howden's father. The land has been farmed since 1939 and the farm's mission is to maintain the agricultural integrity and heritage of this farm, by raising the Howden pumpkin varieties and other quality produce.

The solar electric system adds another dimension to the farm’s effort to be sustainable. The Howden Farm has also invested in energy efficiency, including replacing incandescent lights with compact fluorescent bulbs, air-sealing and insulating parts of the 1830 farmhouse.

The one kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) system is made up of 4 ASE-300 solar modules manufactured by Schott Solar of Billerica, Massachusetts. These modules are likely to remain functional for 30 years. Howden Farm will use the electricity produced by the PV system to power a drip irrigation system for its pick your own raspberries and blueberries and potentially to irrigate some pumpkin fields.

Discussions about solar energy at Howden Farm began during a farm tour at theCaretaker Farm in Williamstown. The tour, organized by CET, featured a solar electric system for pumping water to a remote field. Bruce Howden became curious about using photovoltaics to power drip irrigation. CET brought in John Howell formerly from University of Massachusetts Extension to prepare a report on the drip irrigation needs of at the Howden Farm. Mr. Howell’s assessment of flow, pump size and acres of field to be irrigated provided critical information for sizing the solar electric system. Berkshire Photovoltaic Services (BPVS) prepared a preliminary report on a PV system.

BPVS designed and installed the ground mounted system. Information about the farm's energy production can be found at Soltrex.

In April 2006, Congressman John Olver participated in a celebration of the new solar array. Guests enjoyed a song by local musicians and were inspired by Congressman John Olver who described evidence of climate disruption and urged us to follow the example of Howden Farm in taking action to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

Chris Derby Kilfoyle of BPVS explained how the solar panels turn sunlight into electricity without emitting greenhouse gases. Ruth Dinerman of CET thanked the many individuals involved in designing, financing, installing and now monitoring the installation. Thanks go out to Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE), the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and US Department of Energy for their assistance.

CET’s work with area farms to increase energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy is highlighted in the SARE 2006 Annual Report. Brookfield Farm, a community-supported agriculture farm in Amherst, MA already knew in a deep way how connected they are to the sun. To quote their newsletter, "For years, we have been thinking about our energy use on the farm... Jeff Tober is helping us get going in the right direction. He's been working really hard since this winter to try and make our plans for a photovoltaic system for the barn a reality."

Brookfield Farm had the solar electric system in mind when they sited the new harvest barn. Jeff, the assistant farm manager approached CET looking for help to make the solar electric dream a reality. CET brought in a consulting engineer and experts from Western Massachusetts Electric Company and Berkshire Photovoltaic Services (BPVS) to evaluate the potential for solar energy and energy conservation. Brookfield Farm decided to move forward (and went from thinking of a 2 kW system to a 3.8 kW system!) and selected BPVS to install the system.

The next step was figuring out how to pay for it. CET helped Brookfield Farm apply for a rebate from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative that reduced the overall cost by almost half. Brookfield Farm raised the remaining funds from their Board and members. In early October 2005, Brookfield Farm began generating electricity from the sun! Their 3.8 kilowatt solar electric system is visible from Hulst Road (especially when leaves are off the trees) and is expected to produce at least 20% of Brookfield's electric needs. In addition, Brookfield Farm has taken steps to reduce its overall energy use by installing compact fluorescents and and insulating their cooler door.

Brookfield Farm's photovoltaic array is on the roof of their new barn. CET also put in a monitoring system that shows Brookfield Farm's daily electricity production. View data on Brookfield's solar system. Find out more about Brookfield Farm, Biodynamic Farmland Conservation Trust.

Check back for more renewable energy production on farms. Coming soon, solar at Howden Farm in Sheffield, MA.