OUR RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS

Renewable energy system at the Apple Pond Farm (NY)

To lighten our footprint on this beautiful, living planet, we have installed several renewable energy systems. They produce most of the farm power, lighting and heating, and avoid more than 40 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year. By producing our own renewable energy and following several no-cost and low-cost energy saving practices, we also avoid borrowing from past reserves or future needs for energy. Here are some of the renewable energy and green building practices at our farm. Click for renewable energy pictures.

A 7.5kw photovoltaic (PV) array and a 10kw wind turbine generate electricity onsite. These systems are connected to the electric grid. When onsite electricity production is greater than onsite demand, the excess electricity is sent onto the electric grid. Over the course of the year, our turbine and PV array supply about 1.5 times the electricity needed by an average home site.

Our round straw bale house

A rooftop array of solar thermal collection tubes heats domestic hot water and preheats the water in our radiant floor space heating system. This system essentially “preheats” the hot water up to 150 F, allowing us to save on the wood that would otherwise be required to heat our water and home.

A two-story round straw bale house serves as an educational center and residence for farm interns. Using organic, locally grown products, including the high effective insulative value of straw, this attractive building cost less than $10,000 to build. When hooked up to our wind turbine, its current $100 a year utility bill will be zero and the building will become a net exporter of energy.

Experimentation with burning used vegetable oil and other biofuels for space heating is currently under way.

Solar panels on roof of our garage

RENEWABLE ENERGY SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS INCLUDE:

• Wind
• Photovoltaic
• Solar thermal
• Geothermal and
• Micro hydro systems.

Check our renewable energy schedule section.

We have invested in these renewable energy systems for the following reasons:

Renewable energy reduces our dependence on non-renewable greenhouse gas emitting fossil fuel.

These systems further the educational mission of Apple Pond Farm. We offer workshops on renewable energy on the second Saturday of every month, March through December.

We are decentralizing electricity generation. This strengthens the local electric grid, making blackouts less likely. Combined with conservation efforts such as using compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL), Energy Star appliances, living in well insulated buildings and minimizing consumption wherever possible, we have started on the path to more sustainable living.