Innovative Farmers Using Solar-Biomass

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Innovative Farmers Using Solar-Biomass

• http//www.farmersguardian.com/home/renewables/inn
  ovative-farmers-using-solar-biomass/60214.article

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• LIKE many poultry farmers in the UK, Brian and
  David Jamieson - brothers and proprietors of two
  broiler chicken farms up in Angus, Scotland -
  were facing rising fuel and electricity costs and
  inevitable diminishing returns.
•  
• Undaunted by the challenge, the two brothers
  turned to renewable energy as a way to reduce
  their costs and generate a welcome source of
  income. However, unlike many farmers who tend to
  choose a single renewable option, the Jamiesons
  went for two.

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• Brian Jamieson replaced his existing LPG heating
  with a powerful solar-biomass renewable energy
  combination consisting of a 499kw Woodpecker
  Blaze woodchip biomass boiler for heating and a
  50 kWp roof mounted REC solar PV array to
  generate power for ventilation and lighting. A
  second 25kWp roof mounted solar PV array was also
  installed on David Jamiesons neighbouring farm.
  The solar PV generation has been so successful
  that Brian added a further 50kW solar array,
  taking Brians pv capacity to 100kWp.
• Neither of the brothers had any prior experience
  dealing with renewable energy installers so
  choosing the right company for the job was
  paramount. In the end they went for Greenpower
  Technology, a recommended biomass and solar
  installer with a strong track record in the
  poultry sector.

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• Brian Jamieson says The reason we went for
  Greenpower is their knowledge of our sector.
  Greenpower Technology installed the system over
  three separate phases, undertaking the majority
  of the work during natural breaks in the broiler
  calendar. Every six weeks the farm is emptied of
  chickens giving us one week to wash down the
  sheds and prepare for the next batch. Tom and the
  team worked hard during these intervals so that
  there was minimal disruption to our business
  after just seven weeks everything was done.

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The power of solar-biomass

• Combining solar with biomass is a particularly
  effective solution for broiler chicken farmers
  because each respective technology works most
  effectively when heat and electricity demand is
  at its highest.
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• For example, electricity demand is at its peak
  during the summer, when power is needed to run
  ventilation systems to keep the chickens cool.
  Solar PV produces the most power when the sun is
  shining, which mirrors these daily and seasonal
  peaks in demand. During the winter months, the
  biomass boiler produces cheap, low carbon heat to
  keep the sheds warm and dry, again at a time when
  heat is most needed.

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• In addition to this beneficial seasonal match,
  the biomass element of the solution produced some
  unexpected benefits for the Jamiesons.
•  
• For example, Mr Jamiesons original LPG heating
  was proving expensive to run LPG was the second
  largest overhead on the farm. The biomass boiler
  delivers heat via hot water and radiators and
  this creates a dryer atmosphere within the
  chicken sheds. This dry heat produces a higher
  grade litter, which doesnt need to be replaced
  as often, saving money and reducing associated
  health problems for the chickens.

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Financial returns

• The combined solar-biomass solution is also set
  to deliver considerable cost savings and income
  for the Jamieson brothers.
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• For example, woodchip the fuel used for most
  commercial grade biomass boilers - is up to 30
  per cent cheaper than LPG, the fuel choice for
  many conventional boilers, and the electricity
  produced by the solar PV arrays is in effect,
  completely free. In addition, the Jamiesons will
  benefit from annual income from both the
  Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and Feed in Tariff
  (FIT).

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Solar-biomass advice for poultry farmers

• Installing a biomass-solar system is not all
  plain sailing, and the Jamiesons needed to take
  into consideration a number of factors before
  they took the plunge. These included

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Biomass

• Choosing good quality wood chip or pellets was of
  paramount importance. Poor grade or damp wood
  chips/pellets have a habit of clogging up the
  boiler which can cause maintenance headaches.
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• Planning permission is often required and time
  and money should be allowed for this. In Mr
  Jamiesons case, Greenpower Technology managed
  the whole planning process, but some farmers may
  choose to complete this themselves if this is
  the case, seeking sound advice and information
  from the installer is paramount. When applying
  for planning permission, environmental services
  will also require emissions information, so
  farmers are advised to check this out with the
  installer too.

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• Other considerations that the farmer had to take
  into account included ensuring he had a good,
  firm foundation for his boiler on some
  occasions additional concrete foundations will be
  required which will add to the overall cost.
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• He also had to make sure there was not only
  enough space for the boiler, but additional space
  to store the fuel. In Brians case space was not
  an issue, but if a suitable plant room is not
  available, installing a specialised container is
  an option.

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Solar PV

• Before embarking on any solar PV installation, it
  is critically important that the farmer
  commissions a feasibility report from the PV
  installer. Any professional installer developing
  a commercial scale site should do this as par for
  the course. The feasibility study will inform
  the design of the solar PV installation, by
  taking into consideration variables such as
  irradiation levels, shade, distance to grid, roof
  direction and roof pitch.
•  
• Choosing high quality, durable solar PV panels
  and cabling systems is also important,
  particularly for poultry farmers because chicken
  droppings create toxic gases that can cause long
  term damage to the system.

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• Under the current DECC proposals, an EPC
  certificate, giving a classification of D or
  above is required on one of the buildings that
  connects to the electricity supply. This means
  that the building with the solar array, does not
  necessarily have to obtain the D rating, as long
  as one of the other buildings, such as a farm
  office or farmhouse, has the D rating or above
  and shares the same electricity supply. The
  impact on energy performance of the solar array
  itself can also contribute towards the energy
  performance classification.

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• Mr Jamieson adds I think the financial benefits
  and seasonal fit that biomass and solar delivers
  to broiler farmers is compelling. Farmers are
  always looking for new ways to generate income
  and reduce costs, and renewable energy can
  deliver both. We are also aware of the pressure
  supermarkets are under to buy chicken from low
  carbon sources. It is only a matter of time
  before this pressure becomes a requirement, and
  those farmers who have already taken steps to
  reduce their carbon footprint will benefit in the
  long term.
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• Tom Morley, managing director of Greenpower
  Technology says We are advising landowners or
  farmers who are considering installing renewable
  energy solutions to act quickly. The
  Feed-In-Tariff and Renewable Heat Incentive rates
  have been falling since they were first
  introduced, so early adopters will reap greater
  financial returns than those who wait longer.