Once again Evolution in technology provides an upgrade to agriculture. Low maintenance solutions help us save or eliminate those never ending electric bills. Wind and Solar |
| Off the Grid: Does it make practical and economic sense?When the power company wants $10,000 to run the lines to the well site in the pasture – they want that up front, as well as monthly power charges for life. Or your grape orchard happens to be 2000 feet from the closest power grid the wind mill makes good sense.This is a much different picture from supplying your own redundant power to achieve self sufficiency. Especially critical when a storm takes out the power lines and your cattle need water or the grapes stress and result in crop failure.
Renewable Energy: Solar and wind-turbine technology have matured, and a combined solution will become cheaper and easier for farm and ranches to provide much of their own electricity. The truly dedicated off-gridder will try to use both solar and wind, as the two energy sources are complementary — when the sun isn’t shining, the wind often blows and vice versa. The good news is that Congress passed an extension to the production tax credits for wind and solar power in the recent economic bailout package, which will make installing your own electrical supply cheaper going forward. |