There isn’t an industry that exists that doesn’t feel the effect of change. While the fundamentals and basic biology agriculture remains (mostly) intact, the world around your farm, vineyard, or crop of choice continues to evolve at rapid rates. This means, for all the ways that we do ag-business the same, just as many ways have and will continue to evolve.
Generating energy to grow, feed, harvest, and transport your product is no easy task. With the advent of electricity, we now have a much easier time of it, but with electricity usage comes electric bills.
The demand for food-grade crops has risen considerably, due in large part to the increase in income for most of the developed world. But that increase in demand did not bring with it a more efficient way to produce it.
That’s where solar energy can come in.
Not only can solar energy help you reduce the cost of production, but it can actually drive a positive return on your bottom line.
But there is still so much unknown about how to actually use solar in the ag world that we wanted to gather the top questions we get asked to help provide more clarity on how it works, how it benefits you, and what to do if you’re interested in learning more.
Why Should I Invest Time & Money on Installing Solar Power?
Depending on your crop/product of choice, your two larges expenses are either feed or electricity. While electricity rates as a whole are difficult to predict, it’s expected that they will continue to increase.
Investing in the installation and adaption of your operation to solar power will protect you from the volatility of electricity rates. With options like purchasing or even leasing complete solar systems, you have the option to stabilize your energy spend – or even eliminate it all together.
Does Running My Business on Solar Affect my Bottom Line? If So, How?
For all the complications that come along with running a business, the science of your bottom line is pretty straightforward. Take what you bring in, minus what you spend and what’s left is profit.
Leveraging solar power to provide the energy that you need to run your farm or operation provides you with a passive way to reduce a significant line item of expense.
A California-based fruit producer is saving $500,000 annually on their energy cost.
How Can Being More Sustainable Help my Business Grow?
While we might risk sounding “trendy” in our answer, the right response is still the same. Consumers and the food retailers that bring your product to market care deeply about sustainably.
Each generation dedicates more of its resources, education, and personal equity into finding more sustainable ways to live. Including how their food is created.
Align your agricultural practices with the triple-bottom line, a concept pioneered by author John Elkington.
THE TRIPLE-BOTTOM LINE FACTORS IN A COMPANY’S FINANCIAL HEALTH, OR PROFITS, BUT ALSO MAKES AMPLE ROOM FOR MEASURING ITS IMPACT ON PEOPLE AND THE PLANT.
Study after study shows that sustainability isn’t just good for the planet; it’s good for business.
If Solar is So Great, Why Aren’t More Businesses Installing It?
In reality, a lot of well-known companies have gone solar, including major retailer, Target.
Many factors must be considered when corporations are considering solar, including:
- Their current building ownership type
- The cost of adoption during installation (is there any down time?)
For ag-business, space is rarely an issue and most of your operations are not dependent on a steady 8am-8pm or even 24/7-foot traffic in your buildings.
The adaptation of solar power is happening. The question is whether you will benefit from it?
If I’m Interested in Learning More, Where Do I Start?
This is an easy answer: schedule a free consolation with us here at TerraSol Energies. We can walk you through the entire process, answer any more questions you will have, and help you determine if solar is the right next step for you.
