Solar Panels for Farm

Solar Panels for Farm

In this section of our website, you can find solar panels for farms. PV installation can be a great help in agricultural activities which often require large amounts of electricity.

Solar systems for a farm are usually much larger than residential PV installations. PV modules can be mounted on the farm buildings’ roofs but you can opt for a ground-mounted installation. Agrivoltaic design lets you use your land both for agriculture and solar electricity generation — read more about it below.

Benefits of Using Solar Panels for Farm

Adopting solar technology can spur modernization and technological improvements on the farm. Farms that adopt solar energy can serve as leaders in their communities, promoting the benefits of renewable energy and sustainable practices.

• Cost Savings and Energy Independence. Solar panels generate electricity that can be used on-site, significantly reducing electricity costs. With solar energy, farms are less vulnerable to fluctuating energy prices. Excess electricity can be sold back to the grid in many areas, providing an additional revenue stream. Solar power can provide a reliable source of energy during power outages or grid failures, ensuring critical farm operations continue uninterrupted. As climate change impacts weather patterns, having an independent and reliable energy source helps farms adapt and remain resilient.
• Operational Benefits. Farms in remote areas can benefit from solar power without the need for extensive infrastructure to connect to the main grid. Solar panels require minimal maintenance and have a lifespan of 25-30 years, ensuring a long-term energy solution. Solar panels can be installed on rooftops, unused or non-arable land, or even integrated into agricultural activities (agrivoltaics), where crops are grown under the panels. By utilizing existing farm structures or marginal lands, valuable arable land remains dedicated to food production.
• Environmental Benefits. Solar energy is a clean, renewable source that reduces reliance on fossil fuels, thereby lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Incorporating renewable energy supports broader sustainability goals in agriculture. PV modules are harmless for humans and animals, don’t make noise or smell and thus getting solar panels for poultry farm, for example, are a 100% safe choice.

Agrivoltaics: Combining solar panels and crops

If you plan to use solar panels for a farm, look into agrivoltaics and dual-use solar installations. Agrivoltaics is the practice of using the same land for both agriculture and solar power. This means growing crops underneath or between rows of solar panels. The panels provide shade and reduce water evaporation, which can help some plants grow better. At the same time, solar panels produce electricity from the sun, making the land more productive by generating energy and growing food simultaneously.

Average Cost of Solar Panels for Farm

The cost of solar panels for farm buildings varies significantly based on several factors. Chinese-made panels are generally the most affordable, while European-made panels tend to be the most expensive. Other factors affecting the price include the brand, panel and system design, warranties, and efficiency.

Many governments offer subsidies, tax credits, and grants for installing solar panels, reducing initial investment costs. In the US, solar owners are eligible for Federal Solar Tax Credit which allows you to deduct 30% of your solar system’s cost from income taxes. Programs like the USDA's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provide financial assistance for renewable energy systems in rural areas. With enough effort, you can secure a grant for solar panels for a dairy farm, for example.

Best 3 Solar panels for Farm

Let’s take a look at some of the models which you can use to build a solar panel system for farm. Farm PV installations can be large and it often makes sense to install them on the ground. When it comes to ground-mounted installation, bifacial solar panels are a good choice and let you harvest electricity more from the area.

JA Solar 545W Solar Panel 144 Cell Bifacial JA-JAM72-D30-545MB

The JA-JAM72-D30-545MB, part of JA Solar's popular DeepBlue 3.0 Series, employs cutting-edge technologies for superior efficiency and reliability. Utilizing Passivated Emitter Rear Contact (PERC) technology, it captures up to 12% more energy with a reflective back layer to maximize photon absorption. Additionally, half-cut cell technology reduces resistive losses and improves shade tolerance with its 144 half-sized cells, achieving a high efficiency of 21.1%. This bifacial module, which absorbs photons from both sides, can be up to 30% more efficient than conventional panels.

Trina 390W Solar Panel 120 Cell TSM-390-DE09C07

A TSM-DE09C.07 is a good solar panel for building a home PV installation or a small commercial system at a low price. Vertex S is a bifacial solar panel which means that it has solar cells on the rear side that contribute to overall production. A TSM-DE09C.07 solar panel comes with 25-year warranty for product and performance. Half-cut cell technology adds a few more percent to the overall performance, making this model a great example of efficiency.

Q CELLS 480W Solar Panel 156 cells Q.PEAK DUO XL-G10.3/BFG

Q CELLS XL G10.3 is rated for 480W but the rear side can bring the production up by up to 20-25% on a good day. The efficiency of Q.Peak Duo XL G10.3/BFG is at 20.7% when the bifacial gain is not factored in. The Q.Peak Duo's design improves its performance in low light. The Q CELLS XL G10.3/BFG solar panel is covered by a 12-year product and 30-year performance guarantee.

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