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2017
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an edge. Solar power generation has been no exception,
especially in an environment where farmers are constantly
looking for ways to save money while also becoming more
sustainable long term.
According to David Vonesch, COO and partner with
Alberta solar provider SkyFire Energy, 40 to 50 per cent of his
company’s customers in the past year have been farmers. One
of those customers was Alberta Barley delegate and Beiseker-
area farmer Kenton Ziegler.
“It was something I’ve always been interested in,” Ziegler
said. “Seven years ago, when we built our farm, I oriented my
buildings in anticipation of putting solar panels on them.
“It’s not something where I just said, ‘let’s do this.’ It’s about
trying to be more sustainable on our farming operation.”
SkyFire Energy installed Ziegler’s 13.26kW solar photovoltaic
(PV) system, which is made up of 51 roof-mounted panels, and it
became operational on July 1, 2016.
“One of the highlights of my summer was watching that
power meter run backward for the first time,” Ziegler said. “That
was really cool.”
SUNNYWAYS
There are many reasons why solar technology has been a great
fit for many Alberta farmers. First of all, thinking long term is
never a problem in agriculture—it comes with the territory. As
a result, farmers who invest in solar are rarely worried about
waiting several years down the road before their sunk costs start
paying dividends.
“Generally, agricultural customers are used to longer-term
investments, having made them in land or machinery quite