The Feasibility of Alternative Enterprises in Agriculture Farming Wind & Solar Energy Prepared by: Rod L. Sharp Norm Dalsted Steve Koontz

Opportunities for Wind/Solar Energy In Agriculture 1)Lease land to outside developers for large utility-scale wind/solar projects 2) Farmer-owned, smaller utility-scale projects 3) Smaller projects (less than 100 kW) to offset on- farm energy costs

Additional Business Opportunities Amendment 37 –Colorado utilities are required to obtain electricity from renewable resources 3 percent by percent by percent of the mandated energy must be from solar

History of Wind Power Traced back 6,000 years ago to grind grains (Egypt and ancient Babylon) Western world 12 th century –Farm/ranch windmill – 19 th century 1930’s wind turbines –By 1950’s REA’s eliminated markets –In the 1970’s there were nearly 50 domestic wind turbine manufactures. 50 percent them focused on small scale models.

History of Wind Power 1970’s OPEC oil embargo spurred interest again in wind energy. –Advanced new turbine designs –Easing of energy crisis reduced demand 1980’s increased interest in “large wind farms” –Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978

Wind Energy in Europe Denmark –3,000 megawatts (20% of electrical needs) –Cooperatives of local residents Europe –35,000 megawatts (Number one continent in wind power, North America 2 nd – 7,000 mw) –Equivalent to 35 large coal-fired power plants.

Wind Energy Systems Dutch Windmill –Most familiar –Primarily uses Grinding corn Pumping water Saw milling Water-pumper (fan type) –Pump water in remote areas

Wind Energy Systems Wind Turbines –Generate electricity. –Slender aerodynamic blades and tall towers ( feet). –A wind turbine should experience year-round wind speeds of at least 12 mph. –Expected life years.

Turbine Systems Rotor – Collects energy from the wind. –Wooden, fiberglass, or metal blades rotate about an axis –Blades are attached to a hub –Hub is attached to the main shaft –Generator converts turning motion into electricity

Turbine Systems Drag design –Wind pushes blades out of the way –Slower rotational speeds and high torque. Lift design –Blade is an airfoil or wing –Higher rotational speeds. –More practical for generating electricity

Large Machines

Where will the turbines go? Primarily on farms…

The National Power Grid

Economic Issues Large Initial Capital Outlay –Small (1-10 kW) - $3,000-$4,000 per kW –Medium ( kW) - $1,500-$2,500 per kW –Large (>100 kW) - $1,000-$2,500 per kW Annual Operating Costs –2-3% of initial system cost –1-2 cents per kWh of output

Cost to Generate Electricity Electricity generated by the wind cost 30 cents per kWh in 1975, but now costs less than five cents per kWh. In comparison, new coal plants produce electricity at four cents per kWh. Wind - $.05 - $.08 per kWh Solar – $.09 - $.40 per kWh Coal - $.04 - $.06 per kWh Natural Gas - $ $.07 per kWh

Wind Farm Investment? Example Assumptions –59 kW system - $100,000 –Current cost of electricity - $.06 per kWh –14 mph site = 100,000 kWh/year Energy Savings –100,000 kWh x $.06 = $6,000/year Operating Costs –100,000 kWh x $.01 = $1,000/year Payback Period –$100,000/($6,000-$1,000) = 20 years.

Payback Periods $.06$.08$.10$.12 Payback Period 20 years14 years11 years9 years Cost of Electricity (per kilowatt hour)

History of Solar Energy 1890’s Solar Water Heaters By 1920’s Solar was replaced by cheaper oil & natural gas

History of Solar Energy 1970’s energy crisis –Solar Water Heating Markets – Rapid Growth Solar Industry Reputation Damaged –Poorly designed incentives (tax credits) –Expensive, poorly performing systems –Poor installations (inexperience) –Unscrupulous firms

History of Solar Energy Today, heating water with the sun is making a comeback in homes and businesses.

Solar Energy Systems Photovoltaics (PV) – Solar electric panels –Solar cells convert sunlight to DC electricity –Technology is not new First practical application powered satellites in 1960’s space program. Since then PVs have powered calculators, road signs, irrigation equipment, and telecommunication systems. –PV industry is growing 25-30% per year. Deregulation (1990’s) allows selling excess production. Tax Incentives and/or rebates.

Solar Energy Facts Worldwide photovoltaic installations increased by 1460 MW in MW Cumulative solar energy production accounts for less than 0.01% of total Global Primary Energy demand. Four Companies account for over 50% of solar cell production: Sharp, Kyocera, BP Solar, and Shell Solar.

PV System Costs National Average System Cost - $6,000 per kW (installed cost) –10 kW system $60,000. Useful life – 20 years. Electricity cost - $.20-.$.40 per kWh Common payback periods – years. PV System costs are declining 4-5% per year. –Increase in conversion efficiencies –Economies of scale

Solar Energy Systems External Heat Engine (Stirling Engine) –System is filled with hydrogen –Heat expands the hydrogen to drive pistons 2-3 times more efficient as PV cells. –Converts 30% of suns energy to electricity (PV cells – 10-15%) Giant dish-shaped mirrors

Stirling Engine System Costs Dish Generators Costly - $250,000 each Larger Power Plants –Estimated cost of electricity - <$.10/kWh

So Why Isn’t Everyone Investing in Wind or Solar Energy? Location is important –Sun does not shine equally everywhere. –Wind may not blow hard enough. Technology is not widely recognized yet. –Changing rapidly (obsolescence) Expensive –Like buying 20 years of electricity in one fell swoop.

Advantages of Wind/Solar Energy Clean source of energy (non-polluting) Can bring power to remote communities with little or no access to electricity grid Energy independence Renewable and sustainable Very little maintenance Benefit economies of rural areas

Disadvantages of Wind/Solar Energy Currently more expensive Wind and sun are intermittent Requires a means of energy storage Converting DC to AC incurs an energy penalty of 5-10 %. Aesthetic impacts

Colorado Schools Going Solar 41 Colorado Schools –Educational Highly visible and closely followed (parents & kids) –Energy savings 50 watts – 10 kilowatts in size Hardware and software –Monitor daily and cumulative production of electricity –Monitor atmospheric conditions Educational curriculum

Wind/Solar Energy Incentives Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Program (Section 9006)Section 9006 –FY 06 Funding $11.5 million grant funding $200 million guaranteed loans Value-Added Producer Grants (Section 6401)Section 6401 –Business planning and feasibility studies. Federal tax credits 1/1/2006 – 12/31/2007

Wind/Solar Energy Incentives Farm Bill Energy Title (Section 9008) –Cost sharing (Min. 20% non-federal) –Discretionary funding $12 million FY 06 Rural Business Opportunity Grants –Eligibility Public bodies, non-profits, Indian tribes, cooperatives –Technical assistance

Tax Considerations Renewable Energy Tax Credits (Section 45a) –$.015 per kWh of electricity produced Must be a qualified energy source (wind/solar) Must be produced by the tax payer Must be sold to an unrelated person Lease Arrangements ($3,000-$5,000 per turbine) –Passive Non-business (1040 and Schedule A) –Active Business (Schedules C, E, or F)

Xcel Energy - Solar*Rewards Program Contact: Julia Gauthier Xcel Energy th Street, Suite 1277 Denver, CO Phone: (800) Web site:

Keys to Financial Success The system. –Reputable/dependable contractor –Cost (system and installation) –Size –Efficiency –Location in relation to grid Battery storage is expensive, high maintenance, limited lifespan Current and future electric rates Financial incentives –Grants –Federal/State/ Tax Incentives –Regulatory Environment

Wind/Solar Energy-Summary Rapid Technology Advancements (improved efficiencies). Significant cost reductions (conversion efficiencies and manufacturing efficiencies). Small but growing source of energy supply Can be competitive with incentives, rebates, and/or credits. –Small wind projects 9-15 percent IRR

Educational Program: Feasibility of Alternative Enterprises Alternative livestock enterprises Alternative crops enterprises Agri-tourism/recreation Alternative production systems Renewable energy

Educational Program: Feasibility of Alternative Enterprises Web-based (soon) rightrisk.org Self-paced curriculum –Personal assessment Goals, personal traits, business skills –Production assessment Physical resources, production requirements, risks –Market assessment Market potential, competitive advantage, market strategies –Economic assessment Investment and financial analysis