Why Solar - Business Case for Farms
ABSOLUTELY ENERGIZED Solar helped
the owners of Artemis Farm,
Southampton, NJ leverage financial incentives and tax breaks to install a 30kW solar electric system
at the end of 2005. Their goal was to transform a small,
previously unproductive strip of land into a steady and reliable source of farm income while making them energy
independent.
In addition to their savings in electric bills, Artemis Farm’s owners have also been selling the Solar Renewable
Energy Credits (SRECs) that their system generates.
2008 changes in the SREC program will make solar electric system even more financially profitable for farms. In
2006 the Artemis family earned about $19,500 from with their solar array. The New Jersey Clean Energy Program
estimates that by 2009 the Artemis solar array’s yearly production will be worth upwards of
$38,000/yr.
In all, the system is expected to generate ½ million dollars in profit over the next 15 years… a
brand new revenue stream from a small piece of previously unused property. The solar panels that are producing
these revenues are warranted for 25 years, in a system designed to last for 35yrs.
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