Environmental Sustainability

In 2008 we purchased a 9.9 KW photovoltaic system to power the farm.

Energy Conservation

Chris Kilfoyle and his team at Berkshire Photo Voltaic Systems helped with all stages of the project. They receive our highest recommendation for their quality of work, communication, speed, and friendliness.

Renewable Energy

We had originally considered mounting the panels on the barn roof, but after consulting with a structural engineer it was deemed more prudent to use ground pole mounts to hold the panels.

Solar Panels and Photovoltaic Systems

There are a total of 30 individual panels on 5 pole mounts. They are adjusted 4 times a year to take advantage of the sun's angle. The job takes 2 people about 15 minutes.

Home Grown Electricity

The panels on the pole mounts are high enough so that we can now graze our animals in the pasture.

There are 2 inverters near the panels that change the DC current from the panels to AC current that is then sent to the electrical grid. A meter allow us to know exactly how much electricity is being produced. Another meter near our home displays the net metering for the farm taking into consideration how much we use and produce. Although originally sized to provide 90% of our farm and home electricity needs, it has covered a full 100%. The farm runs on the sun.