Taft Farms – Manor, Georgia
- Rural Energy for America Program,
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Farmers across the U.S. are turning to solar energy to power their operations, reduce fixed costs, and hedge against rising electricity rates. In addition to federal renewable energy tax credits, farmers are able to seek funding for solar projects through the Renewable Energy for America Program (REAP).
Andrew Taft of Taft Farms in Manor, Georgia, recently installed a 300 kilowatt system with the help of these federal incentives made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
I have only had one light bill since I completed [the installation] but it was a lot better than I expected
The REAP grant Andrew received covered 50 percent of the initial capital investment. When he submits his 2024 taxes, he will receive a 30 percent Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and an additional 10 percent credit through the Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program.
For the chicken farmer who also grows peanuts, cotton, and raises cows, these incentives made all the difference. “I would not have done it without it,” he said.
For chicken houses: inputs are high, light bills are high and they’re getting higher, and that was the reason why I did the solar. With the grant I think it made sense to do it
As Andrew navigates paying four full-time employees, operational costs, and overhead expenses, he is looking forward to the projected savings producing his own energy will provide. If you’re a farmer, Andrew thinks solar is worth pursuing. “If you can get the [REAP] grant and then if you need some tax credits, I would definitely say do it.”
We are consuming a lot of electricity. I mean it feels good to be putting some back … I hope it helps us be more long term sustainable and looked at positively to be doing that as demand increases for electricity
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