By TIM ALEXANDER Illinois Correspondent PEORIA, Ill. — It appears Illinois dairy farmers are joining the solar energy revolution – on May 11, more than 600 in the constituency of the American Dairy Assoc. (ADA) of the Midwest announced a partnership with UpField Group to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy, specifically solar usage, on their farms. The effort will align the farmers with the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) of Illinois in an effort to reach the dairy industry’s goal of further reducing on-farm greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by the year 2020. FEJA will substantially expand renewable energy efficiency programs in Illinois, protect 4,200 jobs and preserve $1.2 billion in annual economic activity, according to proponents, while positioning the state as a leader in zero-carbon electricity. “Adoption of renewable energy solutions such as biomass, anaerobic digestion and solar power on farms are just a few ways we strive to be more efficient and reduce our carbon footprint,” said Bill Deutsch, a DeKalb County dairy producer. UpField Group is described as “an ag-centric consulting and partnership marketing firm located in Illinois that exists to help companies grow by connecting people, communities and corporations to agribusiness.” Based in Chicago, it proposed a plan that would generate financial resources for dairy farmers that could be used to advance farm-focused initiatives, according to ADA. “Our company exists to connect communities and corporations to agriculture,” said Mark Inkrott, co-founder of UpField Group. “Working as a connector between energy partners and dairy farmers puts us in a position to help farmers reach their goals.” UpField is one of a handful of companies that help farmers install solar on their properties or be part of a community solar project. Trajectory Energy Partners, based in Highland Park, Ill., is also helping farmers and landowners take advantage of opportunities presented by FEJA, which was passed by the state legislature in December 2016. Colleen Callahan of Trajectory is a big proponent of community solar, which can be developed on 15-20 acres of available land and provide power to 400-500 homes. “As a lifelong farm resident and former state director for USDA Rural Development, I see community solar as an opportunity for community development in our rural areas. Producers have a chance to guarantee an income on a portion of their land for three decades,” she said. “That may mean the difference in bringing the next generation into the operation, or keeping him or her there. It means another family contributing to the community. It could also mean the difference in getting an off-farm job to sustain the farm and/or pay for health insurance coverage.” In addition to having 15-20 acres of available land, Callahan recommends having the following for those considering installing community solar: •No better use for the land for the next 30 years •Land is not in a wetland or area prone to regular flooding •Land is close to three-phase electrical lines and/or a substation owned by Ameren Illinois or Commonwealth Edison (per FEJA conditions) •Flat land or south-facing slopes preferred, with no shading from nearby trees or structures “The (FEJA) puts Illinois on a path to become a leader in renewable energy generation,” said Callahan, who travels to speak about types of solar installations and opportunities created by FEJA with landowners and civic groups. “The initial goal is ‘25 percent by 2025,’ generating 25 percent of our energy needs from renewable sources by the year 2025. “This process is underway, with the construction of the first community solar projects likely to begin in the first quarter of 2019.” Steps to begin a community solar project on rural municipalities include the following, according to Trajectory Energy Partners: •Site-option lease agreement between landowner and developer •Community engagement to educate community and initial local customer acquisition •Zoning and permitting applications •Full-interconnection analysis and design with utility •Engineering and design of landscape-integrated community solar operations •Application for renewable energy credits •Management of financing and construction of project •Customer acquisition for community solar subscribers “Community solar opens up access to homeowners, businesses and organizations that can’t install solar on their roof or property. Instead, they can participate in a nearby community solar project via a subscription, and be credited for their share of the solar installation, saving 5 to 10 percent on their energy bills,” said Callahan. |
