A List of Energy Grants and Resources
Increasing energy costs make conservation and efficient use of facilities an important part of today's greenhouse operation. Alternative energy, new greenhouse designs, better glazing, improved heating and ventilating equipment and new management systems are all important business practices. With typical annual energy usage being 75% for heating, 15% for electricity and 10% for vehicles, efforts and resources should be put where the greatest savings can he realized. Below are some energy resources that have been compiled to help greenhouse businesses.
2012 Sources of Funding for Massachusetts Greenhouse Businesses
There are a several opportunities out there. Most require an energy audit to be eligible. The components of the energy audit that is required will depend on the funding program. Below is a short list of programs. A complete list of federal and state funding programs is available under the Mass Farm Energy Program.
1. Mass Farm Energy Program - The non-profit organization (Berkshire-Pioneer RC&D) has a partnership with Mass Dept. of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) and Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS); helps farmers with state and federal energy grants including contacts that can help farmers write the grants if needed. This program also conducts energy audits that qualify for some programs, (not the NRCS program listed below). Contact Jess Cook 413-256-1607.
Brochure about services
Complete list of grant programs
2. USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), EQIP program (Federal funding)
An Agriculture Energy Management Plan (energy audit) is required and is provided through the EQIP program (cost shared). New for 2012, this program provides cost-share for replacement of inefficient heating systems for oil, natural gas and propane. NRCS also offers a conservation program for Massachusetts greenhouse operations to implement water quality and water conservation practices. Eligible practices include irrigation systems such as ebb and flow benches, flood floor, capillary mats as well as greenhouse heat management such as horizontal air flow (HAF) systems and thermal curtains and more.
For 2012 there is still one more sign-up date, June 1, 2012. There is quite a bit of paper work - so interested growers, should begin the process early (prior to deadlines), especially if an energy audit has not been completed.
Renewables will not be funded under this program this year (2012)
See: http://www.ma.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/index.html
Contact your closest NRCS office for details http://www.ma.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/contact/index.html
3. Mass. Dept. of Agricultural Resources, Massachusetts Agriculture Energy Grant Program
Project types vary from year to year. Examples of past projects eligible for funding include thermal blankets, roof venting modification, heating distribution modifications, electronic control, high efficiency furnaces/boilers and renewable energy such as photovoltaics, wind, solar thermal, geothermal, bio-fuel and more.
Applications are due April 30, 2012. (contact Gerry Palano 617-626-1706): See
http://www.mass.gov/agr/programs/aegp/index.htm
Brochure on this program
4. Mass. Dept of Agricultural Resources, Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program (AEEP)
This a water quality program. Examples of projects eligible for funding include automated irrigation systems, drip irrigation, ebb and flow benching, pesticide mixing and storage and more. .Applications are expected to out in late Feb. (contact Laura Maul 617-626-1739)
See: http://www.mass.gov/agr/programs/aeep/index.htm
Brochure about this program:
5. Mass Dept. of Agricultural Resources, Farm Energy Discount Program
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources("DAR" or "Department") is the state agency responsible for determining and certifying eligibility for the Farm Energy Discount Program ("Farm Discount") described and contained in the legislation enacted to restructure the electric industry ("electric restructuring"). As a result of the electric restructuring, all ratepayers will enjoy a mandated ten percent reduction on their energy bills. Upon determination that the applicant qualifies for the Farm Discount, DAR will certify to the appropriate power supplier (either electricity or natural gas) that the applicant meets the requirements for the Farm Discount. The discount is not available for propane or fuel oil accounts.
For more information and application forms: Farm Energy Discount Program
Contact: Kent Lage, Assistant Commissioner, DAR, at (6l7) 626-1702.
http://www.mass.gov/agr/admin/farmenergy.htm
6. Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE)
DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Click on your state to find out what is offered.
http://www.dsireusa.org/
Energy Education and Tools for Greenhouses
- UMass Extension Energy Fact Sheets for Greenhouses
- Virtual Grower
Software for Windows-based computers, available free. This software estimates greenhouse heat requirements and costs at locations throughout the U.S.. It provides comparisons between energy needs when various construction methods and materials are used. Users can build a greenhouse with a variety of materials for roofs and sidewalls, design the greenhouse style, schedule temperature set points throughout the year, and predict heating costs for over 230 sites within the US. Different heating and scheduling scenarios can be predicted with few inputs. - Farms that are using alternative energy in Massachusetts Some case studies
- Greenhouse Energy Cost Reduction Strategies (Michigan State University)
- UMass Extension Agriculture and Landscape Renewable Energy (Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Biomass)
- Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Energy Efficiency, Conservation, and Renewables Program
Primary goal is to promote energy knowledge and awareness and to facilitate the implementation of energy related projects for our agri-businesses through energy efficiency, energy conservation and renewable energy applications, as a means to reduce both energy costs and environmental pollution.
For more information: Energy Efficiency, Conservation, and Renewables Program
Contact: Gerry Palano, Renewable Energy Coordinator, DAR, at (617) 626-1706, email: Gerald.Palano@state.ma.us - Solar Greenhouses National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
- Thermal Banking Greenhouse Design A short video by Steven Schwen, Earthen Path Organic Farm, Minnesota.
- Energy Resources (Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Biomass)
- Energy and Small Farm Sustainability
Learn ways to reduce electricity bills on the farm and use calculators to determine energy usage.
Below is a partial list of resources for locating contractors who provide renewable energy services or products.
- Sustainable Green Pages
You can find information about a wide range of people and organizations who offer environmentally-friendly products and services to people in the northeastern United States. - Solar Energy Business Association of New England (SEBANE)
SEBANE is a business association of solar energy companies based, or doing business, in New England. - Geothermal Installation Tips for Homeowners
A list of tips the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium has put together for those looking to have a geothermal heat pump system professionally installed.
Note: UMass Extension does not guarantee or warrant the standard of any company referenced or imply approval of the contractor or its service and products to the exclusion of others which may be available.
Tina Smith
UMass Extension
Greenhouse Crops and Floriculture Program
2012
