Solar Energy

Federal grants are fueling solar panel projects at several Mid-Missouri businesses.

The United States Department of Agriculture announced on Dec. 15 a $169,191 investment in Mid-Missouri that will be used to help nine businesses reduce their carbon footprints and install more energy-efficient systems.

The grant money, ranging from $2,500 to $38,000, will touch a wide range of businesses, from a turkey farmer in California to dental offices in Jefferson City and Fulton.

“People living in rural America are on the front lines of climate change, and our communities deserve investments that will strengthen our nation’s resilience,” USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a press release. “President Biden has created a roadmap for how we can fight the climate crisis and expand access to renewable energy infrastructure while creating good-paying jobs and saving people energy costs. These investments underscore the commitment of the Biden-Harris administration to ensure that economic security and prosperity funding and resources to rural people and communities across the country to help improve

For Donita’s Cakes & Catering, the $20,000 grant it was awarded didn’t cover enough costs for the Jefferson City-based business to move forward with its renewable energy project.

Donita’s Cakes & Catering received a $20,000 award to purchase and install a 29.7-kilowatt solar energy system that will replace about 35 percent of the company’s energy use with renewable energy, saving the business about $3,086 a year, according to the USDA.

Manager Misty Schroeder said the company canceled the project after learning it would be out of pocket for the solar panels at least $60,000.

According to the Center for Sustainable Energy, the average cost of solar panels is $15,000 to $20,000 for a typical five-kilowatt system, meaning Donita’s Cakes & Catering was looking at a total cost of $90,000 to $120,000 to replace a third of its energy use.

“We just felt that the investment in it wasn’t worth our return,” Schroeder said, adding, “We didn’t feel like the money was enough to do a project of this magnitude.”

Schroeder said he still encourages business owners and residents to look into renewable energy and outside financing opportunities to help add it to their businesses.

“There are a lot of possibilities, but with anything, you have to see what’s best for your business and your situation,” he said.

Several projects funded through the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program have approached the $100,000 range.

For example, a Pennsylvania poultry farm that provides fertile eggs for influenza vaccine production received about $98,500 to replace 247,071 kilowatts of energy per year, enough to power 22 homes each year.

To date, USDA has spent a total of $285 million in funding for approximately 844 projects designed to help farmers, agricultural producers and entrepreneurs improve energy efficiency in 46 states.

Additional Mid-Missouri grant recipients include:

• $38,175 for Winn-Sapp Ventures, owners of Woody’s Pub & Grill in Ashland, to install a solar array that replaces 72 percent of the restaurant’s annual energy consumption;

• $32,486 to install solar energy systems at Cherry Hill Dental’s Jefferson City and Fulton offices, replacing more than 88 percent of the company’s annual energy use;

• $20,000 for California turkey producer William Tyler Dicus to install energy-efficient lighting, heating, ventilation and insulation in two turkey barns, replacing more than 41 percent of the farm’s annual energy use;

• $20,000 for the purchase and installation of solar arrays that replace 83 percent of Rost Landscaping and Design’s annual energy use in Columbia;

• $20,000 for Danuser, a Fulton-based equipment manufacturer, to install a solar array that replaces more than 76 percent of the company’s annual energy consumption;

• $12,375 for Truescape Properties, a Fulton real estate development and management company, to install a solar array that will transition the company entirely to renewable energy;

• $3,655 for Fulton grape grower John Humphreys to install a solar energy system that will transition his farm entirely to renewable energy; and

• $2,500 for Michael Shaefer Remodeling, a Jefferson City-based construction business, to install solar panels that replace 92 percent of the company’s annual energy use.

Truescape Properties declined an interview request about the grant’s impact on the business.

USDA boosts rural energy efforts by allocating another $300 million through the Rural Energy for America Program. The deadline for applying for a share of these funds is March 31, 2023, and for technical assistance grants, January 31, 2023.

Key points:

The Punjab government has approved an outlay of Rs 60.50 crore to develop solar energy systems for rural piped water supply schemes in the state, reducing annual electricity costs by Rs 8-9 crore. The solar power plants with a total installed capacity of 8,698 MW will be net metered in 970 rural water supply systems serving 1,508 villages.

The Punjab government has approved an outlay of Rs 60.50 crore to develop solar energy systems for rural piped water supply schemes in the state, reducing annual electricity costs by Rs 8-9 crore. The solar power plants with a total installed capacity of 8,698 MW will be net metered in 970 rural water supply systems serving 1,508 villages. Bram Shanker Jimpa, Minister of Water Supply and Sanitation, said: “The administration aims to put basic amenities at the doorstep of the people. The objective of this initiative is to reduce the burden of energy charges to ensure financial sustainability of water supply schemes and effective operation and management of rural water supply schemes by gram panchayat water supply committees. In addition, it will increase the use of clean energy and contribute to environmental sustainability.”

Punjab has one of the highest energy procurement costs in the country thanks to its remoteness from pit coal, apart from its inefficient but politically risky power subsidy policy. Accordingly, finding ways to reduce the energy subsidy burden with cheaper renewable energy produced domestically makes a lot of sense.

Earlier, the Punjab administration had decided to commission 300 MW of photovoltaic (PV) solar power plants. These projects include 100 MW of floating solar PV projects on reservoirs and lakes and 200 MW of canal-top solar PV projects, according to an official release reflecting the decision taken at a recent high-level conference.

In addition, one lakh electric agricultural tube wells currently used by the state are powered by solar energy by the Punjab government. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy had accepted a request for solarization of 1 lakh grid-connected electric tube wells and the Union Government had approved the same while setting a target of 1 lakh pumps for the state.

A solar powered hydroponics system can be quite efficient, especially compared to traditional hydroponics systems

A solar powered hydroponics system is a type of hydroponics system that uses solar energy as the primary power source for the various components of the system. Hydroponics is a method of growing plants in a soilless environment, using a nutrient-rich water solution to provide all the necessary nutrients for plant growth.

What are the advantages of a solar powered hydroponic system?

Solar powered hydroponics systems have several advantages and can be an important tool for both commercial and residential agriculture.

One of the main advantages of a solar hydroponic system is that it is an environmentally friendly way to grow plants. Solar energy is a renewable energy source that does not emit greenhouse gases or contribute to air pollution, making it a more sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Using solar energy to power a hydroponics system reduces the system’s carbon footprint and helps reduce the overall environmental impact of agriculture.

Another advantage of a solar hydroponics system is that it can be an efficient and effective way to grow plants. Hydroponic systems are more efficient at growing plants than traditional soil-based systems because they can provide plants with a more controlled and consistent growing environment. By using solar energy to power the system, manufacturers can take advantage of this efficiency, reducing energy costs.

In addition to being environmentally friendly and efficient, a solar powered hydroponics system can also be a practical solution for growing plants in areas with limited access to electricity. Solar panels can easily be installed in remote or off-grid locations, making it possible to grow plants in these areas without the need for a traditional energy source.

A solar hydroponics system can be a valuable tool for both commercial and residential agriculture. It offers an environmentally friendly, efficient and practical way to grow crops, making it an important innovation in agriculture.

How does a solar powered hydroponics system work?

A solar powered hydroponics system uses solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity. This electricity is then used to power pumps and fans that circulate the water and air within the hydroponic system.

Water in a solar-powered hydroponics system is typically enriched with nutrients and circulated through a network of tubes or pipes that deliver it to the roots of plants growing in a hydroponic medium, such as rockwool or coconut shells. Plants get nutrients from water and use it to grow.

Air in a solar hydroponics system is usually circulated using fans that help provide the plants with the oxygen they need to grow. Air is also used to control temperature and humidity within the system, which can have a significant impact on plant health and growth.

How efficient is a solar powered hydroponic system?

The efficiency of a solar powered hydroponic system depends on several factors, including the size of the solar panels, the efficiency of the solar panels, the size of the hydroponic system, the type of hydroponic system, and the climate in which the system is located. is used.

In general, a solar powered hydroponics system can be quite efficient, especially compared to traditional hydroponics systems that use electricity or gas for power. Solar panels are capable of capturing sunlight and converting it into electricity with an efficiency rate of about 15-20%, which can then be used to power the pumps and other equipment needed for a hydroponics system.

The efficiency of a solar hydroponics system can also be improved by using high-efficiency solar panels, optimizing the layout and orientation of the panels to maximize sunlight exposure, and using energy-efficient pumps and equipment.

The efficiency of a solar hydroponics system depends on a variety of factors and can vary widely. However, with proper design and maintenance, a solar hydroponic system can be a highly efficient and sustainable way to grow plants.

First published: 25 Dec 2022, 12:17 IST

Over the past year, governments around the world have greenlit ambitious renewable energy policies that target the major expansion of wind and solar power, along with the development of technologies such as carbon capture and storage. zero carbon emissions.

Some of the policies also included tax credits for the purchase of electric vehicles, heat pumps or energy-efficient building materials.

The United States has signed the Deflationary Reduction Act, the most ambitious climate legislation in the nation’s history. The European Parliament has adopted the REPowerEU plan to reduce Russia’s dependence on fossil fuels and accelerate the transition to clean energy. And China announced plans to meet its 2030 clean energy goals five years ahead of schedule.

Analysts say the global energy crisis stemming from Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, coupled with growing climate threats such as devastating floods in Pakistan, is pushing renewable energy, especially wind and solar, around the world.

Many countries, particularly in Europe, have returned to coal-fired power generation due to the Ukraine war, which has led to increased gas prices and supply constraints. However, analysts said this has not hindered progress towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“The knee-jerk reaction has seen some places go back to fossil fuels, even at a higher cost to the taxpayer,” said Vibhuti Garg, a New Delhi-based energy economist at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.

India’s coal production rose nearly 17 percent from April to November. Bangladesh increased natural gas imports and opened thermal power plants. A strong proponent of clean energy, Germany has turned to coal and oil to meet its short-term energy needs.

“It was a good year for renewables, but unfortunately not a bad year for fossil fuels either,” Garg said.

One of India’s largest renewable energy firms, Renew Power has more than 100 clean energy projects across the country and has been the world’s 10th largest solar and wind company for nearly 10 years.

Experts say that the task now is to strengthen this momentum in 2023. “In terms of energy, 2022 is going to be a watershed year,” said Kingsmill Bond, an energy strategist at the Rocky Mountain Institute, a clean energy nonprofit group, adding that “after 200 years of growth, there is evidence that fossil fuel demand will peak in 2019.” and we are now hitting a plateau before the inevitable descent.”

There was also a measure of optimism at the end of the United Nations COP27 climate summit in Egypt in November, when countries agreed to a historic deal on climate finance for poor countries. While the measure failed to make significant progress on many other issues, the “loss and damage” fund is expected to be operational in 2023.

Some Maine homeowners who want to install solar panels are denied their requests by electric companies that say there is too much demand to connect to an aging grid that is running out of capacity.

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, solar panels are now more affordable than ever, and prices have fallen by more than 70 percent in the past decade. Panels can also earn a federal tax credit to help homeowners lower their federal income tax bill.

But as more Mainers now take advantage of competitive pricing and incentives, they sometimes run into a problem: There isn’t always room in the wiring to plug them in.

When homeowners are interested in residential solar energy, they will typically call a solar installation company. The company determines whether the location is suitable for rooftop or ground-mounted solar panels and will determine which system will meet the homeowner’s energy needs.

The company then calls on Versant Power or Central Maine Power Co. to connect its customers to the grid. applies to a utility company. Utilities are responsible for the system of poles, wires, substations, and other equipment that make the delivery of electricity possible. The solar installation company’s application includes details such as the number of panels required and the kilowatts of electricity the homeowner’s system is expected to produce.

But recently, some Mainers have had their applications denied because of a lack of capacity on the power grid. One was Matt Quinn of Trenton, whose rooftop solar application was rejected by Versant on Dec. 7.

“Having our solar panels and reducing our electric bill by 80 percent has been very effective for us,” Quinn said. He said the state’s goal of becoming carbon neutral and electrifying was important, but for him, “policies don’t match reality.”

Danny Piper, owner of Sundog Solar in Searsport, a company that installs solar systems on homes, said he has recently seen three other customers in addition to Quinn have their applications for grid connection denied.

Quinn said Versant, which serves 159,000 customer accounts in northern and eastern Maine, did not provide an alternative or suggest changes when Quinn was contacted. The utility’s emailed response to him said it was denying his application because the level of generation would cause a high strain on the existing system. Versant also said the proposed design for Quinn’s residence is beyond the scope of a minor change.

Connecting a particular project can affect voltage or power quality in the larger system, both of which must be kept within certain limits, said David Littell, an energy and environmental lawyer and former commissioner of the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

“It’s definitely a problem,” he said. “It really depends on the level of the grid to accommodate power and voltage changes.”

Otherwise, voltage fluctuations can damage equipment in the home owner’s home or in the homes of others on the network. He said he dealt with the issue last year when a voltage fluctuation caused a power surge and fried an electric car’s charger.

The Public Utilities Commission mandates that utility companies, the largest of which are Versant and Central Maine Power, maintain adequate energy levels to prevent problems such as voltage fluctuations and power outages.

“When people generate a lot of solar energy and only use some of it, they push all the energy into the grid for other nearby customers to use,” said Judy Long, Versant’s communications manager. “And when they don’t produce enough solar energy, they take power from us.”

The power grid is not designed to have multiple power sources in the distribution system or to facilitate two-way power flow, Long said. Additionally, utilities do not have discretion and are not permitted to reserve space for rooftop solar programs.

“We feel for these customers,” he said. “But we take them on a first-come, first-served basis, and we need to study them to make sure they’re safe and secure.”

He said that applying for residential solar power connection has never been a serious problem in the past. But with incentives to develop larger community solar projects, the demand to connect to the grid has increased, and utilities face a bigger challenge.

“There is only so much space on distribution lines, and with the demand to interconnect larger projects, we are running out of space for all projects without the expensive upgrades needed to maintain the safety and reliability of the system,” Long said.

Maine has more requests to join the network than ever before.

“There’s more demand in terms of megawatts to connect to the grid, actually more than our demand for electricity,” Long said. “So if we connected all these projects together, we would have more energy than we use.”

The Public Utilities Commission doesn’t track how many residential solar projects are denied statewide, but Phil Bartlett, its chairman, said he doesn’t believe there are more denials than approvals.

“It can happen in some places if someone is in a cycle with very limited capacity for new solar, but it’s certainly not the norm,” Bartlett said.

Central Maine Power declined to say how many applications it has rejected, but spokeswoman Catharine Hartnett said it is seeing more demand for rooftop solar to connect to the grid. It added 1,663 new rooftop solar customers this year, more than any year before.

Versant, meanwhile, began tracking the problem recently when it was unable to connect 10 rooftop solar projects due to capacity shortages, Long said. As of 2020, it has integrated 485 rooftop solar installations.

Littell, an attorney who represents utilities and renewable energy producers, said connecting to the grid is one of the biggest challenges facing renewable energy development not only in Maine but across the country. He believes that the lack of power will require the improvement of the electricity grid.

“But it really takes everyone working together to effectively solve these problems,” he said.

According to EnergySage, an online marketplace where people can shop for local solar installers, the average cost to install 5 kilowatts of solar panels in Maine this year was between $14,238 and $19,262. According to estimates, a homeowner could save $22,693 over 20 years for an average prepaid system.

Mehr Sher is a report for an American corps member. Additional support for this report is provided by the Commonwealth Fund and donations from BDN readers.

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