Agriculture

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Energy Efficiency Improvements for New York’s Farms

NYSERDA provides energy audits and feasibility studies that identify cost effective energy efficiency improvements that will lower energy bills, increase productivity and reduce environmental impacts. In addition, NYSERDA provides incentives to farmers who implement the energy audit recommendations through our Enhanced Commercial/Industrial Performance Program and/or a reduced interest rate through our Loan Fund Program.

Energy Audits

An energy audit can be provided at little to no cost to the farmer. Typically, NYSERDA will pay a qualified engineering firm to do a walk through analysis of the energy use on your farm highlighting the latest energy efficient technology improvements available with the most cost effective savings. Energy audits generally focus on high-energy use systems, as well as, the needs of the farmer and other energy efficiency opportunities.

A typical Dairy Farm’s high energy use equipment generally include:

Milking parlor operation

Refrigeration

Ventilation

Lighting

Farm Audit Online Registration (.pdf version)

Energy feasibility study

An energy feasibility study provides the farmer with a detailed energy analysis to determine the cost effective savings, energy reductions, and improved efficiencies on more complex systems. NYSERDA will cost-share these studies and provide a pre-qualified Flex Tech Engineering firm who has expertise in the specific area or the farmer can choose their own consultant to perform the study.

A detailed energy efficiency analysis can investigate, but is not limited to, the following opportunities:

Reducing the operating costs to the farmer
Peak-demand reduction during the summer season
Installing renewable-power generation system
Site-specific equipment processes

Farm Audit Online Registration (.pdf version)

Incentive Programs

NYSERDA provides incentives for certain eligible energy efficient equipment including, but not limited to:

Lighting and controls

Motors

Variable speed drives

Demand control ventilation sensors

NYSERDA can buy down the interest rate of a loan for certain eligible energy-efficiency improvements and/or renewable technologies. The reduced interest rate is available for a maximum of 10 years. Please see our full Loan Fund Program page to determine what interest rate reduction is currently available.

Energy Efficiency Improvements for New York’s Farms

Energy Audits

Energy feasibility study

Incentive Programs

Other Agriculture Funding opportunities