Farms and Ranches
For a farm or ranch, you can use the following energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies to help lower your energy costs and to benefit the environment:
Anaerobic digesters
Recover methane from animal manure for producing electricity, heat, and hot water.
Energy-efficient lighting and daylighting
Reduce electricity use indoors and outdoors.
Geothermal direct use
Tap into geothermal reservoirs, if available, to provide direct heat for buildings, greenhouses, fish farms, and food processing facilities.
Geothermal or ground-source heat pumps
Heat and cool buildings.
Microhydropower systems
Use flowing water to generate electricity.
Small wind (turbine) electric systems
Provide electricity for buildings and water pumping.
Solar technologies
Generate heat and electricity for a variety of applications.
Energy-efficient windows, doors and skylights
Reduce electricity, heating, and cooling costs in buildings.
Visit the Alternative Fuels Data Center if you're thinking about buying a new vehicle for your farm or ranch.
Many farmers and ranchers also take advantage of opportunities for large-scale wind energy development on their properties to increase or supplement their incomes.
In addition, there are farming opportunities for growing biomass feedstocks used in the development of biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower.
Also, see our section on small businesses.