It's A Great Time To Start Farming The Sun

It s A Great Time To Start Farming The Sun BUILDINGS New Techniques Dennis Hamm has been farming the sun for about 6 months In another 5 years his solar “harvester” will be paid for and every kW of energy produced will be free “I had been interested in solar for a long time ” says Hamm “Interest rates were low With a 25 percent federal grant from USDA a 30 percent federal tax credit and accelerated depreciation the time was right ” Hamm installed 150 solar panels on the roof of a 66 by 120-ft pole shed Full installation cost for the 39 kW system was $100 000 During the winter the farm uses most of the energy produced but come summer he expects to sell excess to his local electric co-op The installation was done by a local Minnesota company Solar Connections They were able to size a system that fit Hamm’s needs and what he was willing to invest They also were able to project the likely energy produced In the first 2 months the solar array generated 4 591 kWh of electricity “That was a little ahead of what they projected ” says Hamm “Production has continued higher than they expected because of recent sunny weather ” After talking to the company Hamm went to his agricultural loan officer insurance agent and tax accountant They reviewed the proposal and all gave him the green light “My loan officer thought it looked so good he put one up on his place ” says Hamm Curt Shellum Solar Connections notes that farmers have the most advantages when it comes to installing alternative energy That’s because of the 25 percent REAP Rural Energy for America Program program only farmers can apply for He points out that farming operations also are often best able to take advantage of the rapid depreciation “Everyone qualifies for the 30 percent tax credit ” says Shellum “Minnesota doesn’t have a state incentive Other states do and some utilities do as well It’s not an instant payback but it’s a good long-term investment ” Add a state incentive and payback can be practically immediate “We have installed systems for farmers who got all their money back in the first tax cycle ” says Mark Olinyk Harvest Energy Solutions in Michigan “One farmer invested $40 000 He got the 30 percent tax credit the 25 percent REAP grant and a $15 000 renewable energy grant from Kentucky ” Olinyk’s company markets solar panels in 10 Midwestern states He notes that the average payback runs about 5 years Non-farmer payback with only the 30 percent tax credit can run as high as 8 to 10 years Roger Hobbs farms in western Kentucky He installed a 49kW system in 2012 After seeing how well it worked he added a 10 kW system in 2013 Both systems are on the ground “When I first met with the Harvest Energy Solutions sales representative he put together a proposal of costs and incentives ” says Hobbs “I showed it to my tax accountant and she said it was a no-brainer I wrote off the entire cost that year and the 10kW will be written off against the 2013 tax year ” Olinyk says Hobbs is not alone His company installed their first solar panels in western Kentucky 3 years ago They’ve installed more than 50 since “On average we get one additional sale from a neighbor every time we put a system in ” says Olinyk “In some areas it grows like wildfire ” In Hobbs’ case his utility pays him for excess electricity However he notes that other utilities have different rules His co-op recently changed its rules limiting the size of a unit that can be installed Checking with the local co-op tax accountants and lenders is good advice agree Shellum and Olinyk Both also warn against “fly by night” solar installers “Ask them how long they’ve been in business and how many installs they’ve done ” says Olinyk “Ask for testimonials and if they carry insurance Watch out for those who sell a system and then broker out installation If there is a problem who do you call?” “Watch out for deals that are made to look better than they really are ” warns Shellum “I’ve heard of companies who advertise they will charge more for the system but offer to buy back your renewable tax credits They really have no value It only looks like a good deal ” Both stress the importance of feeling comfortable and having confidence in the company you deal with Shellum suggests getting a second quote especially on a larger installation “If you get multiple bids be sure they are apples and apples that the terms are really all the same ” he says “Are the panels and components made in the U S or in China? What is the warranty?” Olinyk stresses considering customer service “We help our customers line up all incentives and work with utilities and grant writers to put together packages ” he says “We have our own installation crews and they are certified ” Shellum and Olinyk also agree that the price is right for investments now Solar panel prices dropped by 60 percent from 2011 to 2013 points out Shellum “Prices seem to have plateaued ” he says “The technology may continue to improve and prices may continue to go down but likely more slowly ” The big unknown ahead is whether or not the tax credits and other incentives will continue Hobbs points out that while the 30 percent credit looks good as does the depreciation how good it is depends on your taxable income “The more I read about the cost of power going up and some of the things with coal burning plants it seemed like the right time to do this ” says Hamm “Every year they seem to get more and more efficient but at some point you just have to act I don’t care for the frac sand trucks going down the road or for windmills With solar I can help myself and reduce energy dependence ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Denny Hamm 15431 County 2 Chatfield Minn 55923 507 421-5982; hammfixitman@aol com or Solar Connection Inc 3270 19th St NW Suite 205 Rochester Minn 55901 ph 507 292-8400; info@solarconnectioninc com; www solarconnectioninc com or Harvest Energy Solutions 
2218 East High St Jackson Mich 49203 ph 517 788-8800; info@harvestenergysolutions com; www harvestenergysolutions com

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