Want to learn more about the potential money and energy savings in agriculture? Join Solar Forward, the Colorado Energy Office, and the Colorado Department of Agriculture for our webinar on “Resources for Energy in Agriculture,” Wednesday, November 17th at 1pm MT.
In 2013, the Colorado Energy Office developed a study of energy efficiency and renewable energy potential in Colorado. This study established the baseline data for energy opportunities across the state. Agricultural producers spend an inordinate amount on energy inefficiencies, $400 million annually. The study found that there are large energy and cost saving opportunities through efficiency measures and renewable energy. For instance, there is more than 10MW of capacity potential for on-farm renewable energy across Colorado’s ranches, dairies, and irrigated farmlands. Developing local energy sources for agricultural producers would keep millions of dollars in rural communities and reduce Colorado’s emissions by 63,781 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), that is the same as taking 13,871 cars off the road.
Based on the information from this study, the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) and Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) have created funding sources to help agricultural producers access these energy savings opportunities! SEI’s Solar Forward program is partnering with CEO’s Agricultural Energy Efficiency (AgEE) and CDA’s Advancing Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ACRE3) programs to present a webinar all about these program offerings and how to apply for funding.
AgEE is the Colorado Energy Office’s one-stop-shop for no-cost energy audits and technical assistance for agricultural producers and processors to reduce their energy consumption. Once AgEE has helped producers understand their energy profile, AgEE will help producers understand and apply for financing and funding. Wil Mannes, the Program Manager for AgEE will present information about current project funding and success stories.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture’s complement to AgEE is the ACRE3 program, administered by energy engineer Sam Anderson. Sam will be presenting on larger potential projects and grant funding for renewable energy in food production. ***There is funding specifically for agrivoltaics, agriculture under solar panels.*** Conventional solar arrays also have a high funding potential!
Have questions answered, learn the next steps for applying for funding, and keep more of your community’s energy production, and the savings, local. This is a big opportunity in our state, please join us to learn more about applying for this funding and share the “Resources for Energy in Agriculture,” Wednesday, November 17th at 1pm MT webinar information with your network.
