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As energy costs rise and technology advances, more farmers, homeowners and businesses are considering on-site solar or wind systems to meet their energy needs. Such systems can help control energy costs for years to come, but they don’t fit every situation, and poorly planned systems are likely to cost more than they save.

Dale Arnold, director of energy, utility and local government policy with Ohio Farm Bureau, explained that energy systems must be tailor-made to fit the needs of each farm, home or business. “There’s no such thing as an off-the-rack system.”

For some people, the dream is to build a system to go completely off-grid, eliminating reliance on a power company. But for most people, that’s not realistic, Arnold said. He knows of only three people who have accomplished that, and they were all electrical engineers.

Instead, on-site generation systems typically involve interconnection agreements with local utilities. Systems are usually designed to generate 90% to 120% of the power needs at the site over a year’s time. When the site isn’t using all the power generated, the electricity is fed into the utility’s distribution system. Then, when the site needs more power than the on-site system is generating, power can be drawn from the utility.

Getting started

Arnold suggests that anyone interested in their own on-site generating system start by taking a close look at their energy use and efficiency. He estimates that only one in every three people interested in installing on-site generation systems have a power load profile that would make it pay. In many cases, it makes more sense to invest in conserving power. For instance, updating lighting, adding insulation and managing power loads can significantly reduce power needs.

Be cautious about buying a system from a company that does not work with you on analyzing your situation first, Arnold said. Some companies are more interested in making a sale than in setting up a system that will make economic sense. “Some are seen as stereotypical used car salesmen.”

In many cases, the goal is for power generation and use is to balance out over a year, leaving the property owner with a tiny or non-existent bill for electricity. That’s how it has worked out for George Mizer, a member of Harrison County Farm Bureau who installed a solar generation system on his farm near Cadiz. “I knew the cost of power was going to be going up every year,” he said. “I wanted to try to get ahead of it a little bit.”

Mizer farm example

Mizer’s system was designed to produce 90% of his power needs, but after it was installed he also put in a geothermal heating and cooling system that reduced his need for electricity.

“Last year we didn’t even have an electric bill,” he said.

Mizer worked with Paradise Energy Solutions based in Sugarcreek to plan out his system and install his 34 solar panels. The planning process took them a year and a half to two years, he said. Besides analyzing his power needs, the company helped Mizer coordinate interconnection with the local electric cooperative, South Central Power.

Originally, he wanted to put the panels on a barn roof, but the existing power cable from the barn to the house wasn’t big enough, Mizer explained. It was more economical to put the panels in an odd-shaped, hard-to-farm corner of a hayfield. The only thing he might change about the system is raising the panels off the ground more to make the area easier to mow.
For others interested in on-site power generation, Mizer suggested talking to landowners that already have systems. Choose a company with a good track record, and take your time with planning, he advised. “Ask lots of questions.”

Reputable companies

Ohio Farm Bureau has compiled a provider referral list to help property owners choose reputable companies. The list is available to Farm Bureau members by request through [email protected]. Arnold has also written detailed information related to on-site energy generation as part of the new Energy and Utility Issues Resource Guide.

Mh3 Solar based in Fredericktown, owned by Knox County Farm Bureau members, Mark and Heidi Hulse, have been involved in on-site installations. They’ve been seeing a growing demand for on-site solar installations, Heidi said. “We focus on correctly sizing a customer and making the system expandable along with assisting with grant writing for farmers and small businesses through the USDA REAP program.”

Unfortunately, several companies that have come through Ohio have misrepresented the capabilities of solar in Ohio and left systems not properly functioning. Designing a system for a specific site involves analyzing power needs, working with the local utility on interconnection agreements, complying with any local regulations such as permitting or zoning restrictions, and planning for system expansion, Heidi explained.

Photos by Bryan Rinnert and Dave Liggett