Clean Energy

Solar Barn

It's a traditional 35-acre grass farm in Winona County with an1890 house, a small flock of sheep, a few heifers, and a large garden --and one very contemporary difference. The roof of Doug’s barn is outfitted with solar panels that provide 90% of the electricity his family uses for both their house and their barn.

Several years ago, Doug heard Winona LaDuke describe how the coal-fired power plants that provide our electricity are releasing mercury that ends up in our lakes. That inspired him to replace incandescent bulbs with CFLs and to replace his old refrigerator with an efficient model, reducing the family’s energy usage from 506 KWH per month to 368 KWH per month. Then he decided to take the next step – moving to clean energy.

In order to first learn as much as he could about photovoltaic systems, Doug attended the Midwest Renewable Energy Fair in Amherst, WI. There he met photovoltaic systems dealer Jim Kerbel and invited him to conduct a site visit at the farm. Kerbel analyzed the site and estimated how much energy could be produced by solar panels. (His estimate was right on target--within 1% the first year. )

Working with Brownsdale contractor Hunter Electric, a bank of photovoltaic panels 30’ wide by 10’ tall was installed on the south-facing roof of Doug’s barn. On a Thursday morning the electricians showed up and installed the the wiring, the racks for the panels, and the inverter. The next morning the panels were put in place and by noon they were producing electricity. The total cost was $23,519, less a $6,800 (25%) rebate Doug recouped from the State of Minnesota.

Doug has been totally happy with his solar investment. Although he anticipates it will take 20 years at current prices until the PV system is net profitable, it brings him plenty of satisfaction. He quips that some people spend similar amounts on fancy boats; he gets just as much enjoyment from his solar panels.

Asked if he would anything differently, he says, laughingly, that he might have waited a few years –so many improvements in efficiency have developed since he installed his system that the payback would be much quicker now.