August in New England means enjoying the last of the sunny summer days before we make our way into fall. Soaking up the summer sun also has us thinking about solar power. According to some predictions, New England is set to nearly double its use of solar power over the next ten years.
Many dairy farms throughout the region have joined the numerous homes and businesses already using solar. From powering milking parlors, to processing cheese, to serving up ice cream, solar power on dairy farms is used in a wide variety of on-farm tasks.
Solar Powered Dairy Barns
Oakridge Dairy in Ellington, Connecticut recently installed 752 solar panels on top of an eight-acre barn. This huge installation is capable of generating enough energy to offset 25% of their yearly electrical usage. With nearly 3,000 cows to care for, that’s a lot of electricity.
In Vermont, a number of dairy farms are saving money and the planet by subscribing to community solar projects. These projects provide solar power to VT dairy farms with little to no upfront cost for farmers. Plus, farmers with land that isn’t suited for crops or grazing are able to lease this land to solar contractors who use it to build additional community solar farms. In the future, contractors are hoping to also make use of large dairy barn roofs to expand community solar offerings even further.
Solar Powered Milk Processing
Beyond the barn, solar energy is also used by dairy farmers in milk processing. Smith’s Country Cheese in Winchendon, Massachusetts uses solar to power their cheese processing facility. Their solar array generates enough to handle roughly 70% of their facility’s energy needs. The process of making cheese requires a ton of hot water, so using solar is a huge cost saving measure. Plus, it’s great for the environment too.
Solar Powered Ice Cream
New Englanders love their ice cream, so it’s no surprise New England dairy farmers also use solar power to make ice cream. Sanctuary Dairy Farm in Sunapee, New Hampshire uses solar energy to power their scoop shop where they serve ice cream made with dairy from their herd of cows. They’ve been using their solar panel system since it was installed in 2012.
Dairy Farmers’ Commitment to Protecting the Planet
Using solar helps cut down on energy costs for farmers but is also part of dairy farmers’ commitment to protecting the planet. By 2050, the dairy industry has committed to achieving greenhouse gas neutrality, optimizing water use while maximizing recycling, and improving water quality by optimizing utilization of manure and nutrients.
Solar power is one small part of what farmers are doing every day to work toward reaching these 2050 sustainability goals.
Learn more about other actions farmers are taking to protect the planet.
