How does Solar Benefit our Dairy Customers?
Our dairy customers have proven to be an essential part of our business. By nature, dairies have extraordinary utility payments. With solar, we can help take the uncertainty out of the utility portion of our customers’ monthly operational budget. With so many unknowns in the dairy business, we can deliver consistency by locking down your rate for 20 years with zero inflation.
Avoid Stray Voltage
Our team is expertly qualified in our dairy installations, from understanding how to avoid the repercussions of stray voltage to the roof-mounted installations. Our pre-construction team will work through the benefits of a roof-mounted structure compared to a ground mount. “Understanding how to invest in proper grounding is a benefit and service we automatically provide our dairy customers,” Vice President and General Manager Bob Hansen mentions. “Stray voltage is a legitimate concern and our team of experts are here to recommend the most advantageous build out.”
Generation Meter Efficiencies
Unlike with restrictively placed irrigation pumps, generation meters can be placed in non-essential areas or “dead zones” around the dairy property. Additionally, with a generation meter, the mandatory “shutdown” can be eliminated when “tying” into the system to connect to the meter after installation construction is completed. When conducting the final wiring-in process the shutdown typically takes 4-8 hours, which for a dairy is tremendously costly and could wreak havoc if milking is stalled whatsoever. With a generation meter, our dairy customers are able to avoid the expense of installing a temporary generator or shut down for any amount of time.
Utilize the Benefits of Meter Aggregation
Meter aggregation allows one single photovoltaic system to generate energy credits and offset multiple meters and loads. The offset is particularly helpful for dairies because there are typically multiple meters required to run a dairy – such as milk barns, irrigation pumps, houses and mechanic shops. With the flexibility in placement and decreased installation expenses, it’s a win-win. Please note, the parcels of land must be contiguous and owned or leased by the same owner. “Oftentimes a milk barn can use one megawatt alone,” Sales and Marketing Manager, Chad Cummings mentioned. “Then with the addition of a few irrigation pumps, houses and a shop, we’re looking at another megawatt. Meter aggregation makes perfect sense for our dairy customers, time and time again.”
