I have a 300+ acre land and I want to build a green energy farm. What do I have to do and consider?
I am thinking of utilizing geothermal, wind, and solar energy generation. Can I do that on my land?
You need to find out what potential your property has. Any of the three will work but the question is what will be the better of the three and at what cost. Geothermal, while one of the best forms of electricity, is also the most expensive to place in areas where Geothermal heat is located to deep underground to be practical to be harnessed.
Wind energy can be very efficient and cheap to harness but in areas where the wind doesn’t blow consistently wind generation can be a frivolous pursuit.
Solar energy while not as efficient is very cheap and can be set up in pretty much any location that gets a good supply of light. The down side to solar energy is the fact that current capture capabilities of solar are only about 10% at the very best (8% is industry standard to date) The lack of efficiency in the collection cells makes it necessary to build Immense collectors to make up for the deficiency in energy capture.
You might begin by conducting a few simple tests to see what energy would best be created on your location. Other than that I would consider only making what you need to sustain your own life on 300 acres because what you will get out of a commercial endevour is minimal.
Posted in green energy
unless you live near geysers and volcanos, you can not do geothermal. Wind will work if the wind blows enough, but you can’t afford it so you will only collect rent from the power company. You could get $500 per year per acre, so maybe $150,000/year. The cost to build a wind farm would run $150,000,000
Solar panels, same thing as wind turbines, do have the sunshine?
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Anything electrical will likely require cooperation from your local utility. You may wish to contact them, to find out what they are willing to pay, and how much of the infrastructure they are willing to help you with.
*Without* doing electricity, you may be able to do ethanol, biogas, plant oil, etc.
Consider also subsidies or tax breaks from local, state, and national governments.
If you live in the U.S. the source below may help.
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http://www.dsireusa.org/
You need to find out what potential your property has. Any of the three will work but the question is what will be the better of the three and at what cost. Geothermal, while one of the best forms of electricity, is also the most expensive to place in areas where Geothermal heat is located to deep underground to be practical to be harnessed.
Wind energy can be very efficient and cheap to harness but in areas where the wind doesn’t blow consistently wind generation can be a frivolous pursuit.
Solar energy while not as efficient is very cheap and can be set up in pretty much any location that gets a good supply of light. The down side to solar energy is the fact that current capture capabilities of solar are only about 10% at the very best (8% is industry standard to date) The lack of efficiency in the collection cells makes it necessary to build Immense collectors to make up for the deficiency in energy capture.
You might begin by conducting a few simple tests to see what energy would best be created on your location. Other than that I would consider only making what you need to sustain your own life on 300 acres because what you will get out of a commercial endevour is minimal.
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Biomass might work too. Can you grow bamboo (or hemp if in Canada)? Both are very fast growing plants that get their nutrients from deep subsoil so actually enrich your topsoil. If there is some good way to dry them they can be heated in an environment without oxygen (pyrolysis?) to make a liquid fuel like diesel. The byproduct would be charcoal; either sell it or plow it back into the soil to make even better soil and sell the carbon credits to Europe.
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Its your land don’t see why not . I mean your have 300 acres so the height of a windmill is no problem . As far as geothermal if you can reach it go for it but be careful . One company drill for geo and ended up with a sink hole that swallowed everything . Solar you can do anywhere
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Start an algae farm, and use the algae to make biodiesel.
Maybe I can be your partner.
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http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geu7eIeDlLjlUAKRZXNyoA?p=biofuel+%2B+algae&fr2=sb-top&sao=1
It depends on where U live AND the lay of your land, and if U have a utility company that might buy back extra energy that U might produce for starters. U need to do some home work for this big project. All of these things are good, but a lot also depends on if there are skilled workers in your area that can put up the kinds of structures U will want to put in place.
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I think you could if you got a consultant to come and view the area if it is visible and also check the planning permission and protocal it entails
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Several must see online utilities will allow you to better estimate the total long term cost and revenue from Solar systems as well as Wind, Geothermal, Gas and Coal.
There are many factors which are calculated;
These factors consider property coordinates, utility rates, seasonal issues, long term depreciation as well as mortgage rates and inflation.
The following links are indispensible in regarding these factors. At the same time it is always good to get a second opinion as some of these calculators may miss a factor or two and the resultant calculation may not apply to you at all.
You need to run two online utilities one called "IN MY BACKYARD" at http://www.nrel.gov/eis/imby/
Another one is at:
http://www.wind-estimate.org
Click on "MY SOLAR CALCULATOR"
Also:
Download and install the software for energy cost analysis for Solar, Wind and other types of alternative energy
http://www.homerenergy.com/
See:
http://www.nrel.gov/reasn/apps.asp
http://www.nrel.gov/analysis/
Download and install the Solar Advisor Model
for Wind and Biofuel as well as coal analysis see:
http://www.nrel.gov/analysis/jedi/
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You would have to work with the local power company and also with the local, state, and Federal governments to get the proper permits etc. You will also need a team of experts to help monitor and maintain your green energy farm.
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