JDM Farms – GA
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- Rural Energy for America Program,
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Georgia farmer finds financial freedom through solar
By: Gabe Hutchison
Justin McClellan is a poultry farmer from Pearson, Georgia. In 2010, when he established JDM Farms, he had three chicken houses. In the years since, the farm has grown to 14 houses in total. As his capacity has increased, his energy bills have kept pace. In 2023, Justin switched to solar energy to address the rising fixed costs that were straining his energy-intensive business.

Over the years, Justin has expanded his farm out of necessity. “The input of farming these days is way greater than the output,” he said. Rising electricity rates have not helped ease this reality. Before going solar, Justin’s annual electricity costs ranged from $60,000 to $80,000, depending on how many chickens he was able to raise to maturity in a year.
“Power is my number one expense in my operation,” said Justin. Solar offered a solution, but purchasing a system big enough to meet his energy demand required considerable support. Justin found a valuable installation partner in One World Solar. In addition to designing three roof-mounted solar arrays totaling 750 kilowatts, they helped him secure grant funding for his project through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Through REAP, Justin was able to cover 40 percent of his total project cost. To cover the remaining amount, he benefited from the 30 percent federal renewable energy tax credit.

“I’m pretty sure I’m the reason that two other farmers went solar … I told them that it was a no-brainer for me because it was going to cut my energy in half and by the time I got the REAP grants and the tax credits, the cost of the solar panels was way [lower].”
Reducing energy expenses by 50 percent has transformed the economics of JDM Farms and of Justin’s life outside of work. By cutting a significant fixed cost, he was able to hire additional help to support the operation throughout the year. An extra hand on the farm means Justin can spend more time with his family. “Two of [my kids] are big into travel ball and I’m able to enjoy every second that they have of travel ball just because I was able to hire the extra employee.”

Solar has provided financial freedom in an industry where it is hard to come by. It has allowed Justin to continue running his operation without sacrificing time with his loved ones. “Finance-wise, it was a very smart decision,” he said. “It’s going to put the next generation of my farm in a way better financial [position] than … what I started with.”
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