SOLAR FARM

            I got a letter in a big special envelope yesterday.  Here it is:

“Polyface Farm is situated perfectly to save thousands on your tax and electric bills and make a difference for the environment by going solar, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act.

By location, the property is doubly incentivized.  The IRA considers it a Low-Income Community, entitling you to a federal tax credit of at least 30 percent, and possibly 40 percent of your solar investment.  This credit can be applied three years back and indefinitely forward.

In addition, and more importantly, Polyface Farm is eligible for a USDA REAP grant, which could pay for as much as 50 percent of the project’s cost.

You have some nice roofs and lots of open land.  I have been paying attention to innovations in the field of agrivoltaics and am convinced that solar can not only cut tax and power bills but boost productivity.

SunDay Solar is Charlottesville’s oldest solar provider and has done projects for Merck Pharmaceuticals, SL Williamson, Advanced Concrete, and a few hundred residences in Central Virginia.  We are a Class A contractor whose dedicated installation teams share in the company’s profits.

Please get in touch and we will see if we can save you money.  Thank you for your consideration.”

Interestingly, a similar pitch went to one of our leased farms and research there indicated that when the 30-year arrangement expires, the landowner is responsible for all decommissioning.  In other words, “thanks, now you have a hazardous waste site.”  This guy has never talked to me and to my knowledge never visited.  Solar requires a lot of babysitting and technical expertise.  

            A benevolent wealthy friend gave us a bunch of panels that we are currently installing in three roof locations on the farm.  He moved and it was cheaper to give away the batteries than transport them as hazardous material to where he was moving. 

            One farm property we used to lease for grazing has now been purchased by a Chinese outfit and they’re planning to turn the whole place into solar panels.  When you read the above letter, you can see why people are doing this.  It’s only because of the subsidies and tax credits, not because they make sense.

            I’m not opposed to solar panels or solar energy; what is wrong is the government picking winners and losers in the marketplace.  If and when solar is the best option, the market will adjust on its own merits without governmental intervention.  What if solar turns out to be stupid?  Like we make a hydrogen breakthrough.  Or we make an energy vibration breakthrough.

            Do you think government should print money to incentivize solar panels?