09-29-2023, 11:35 AM
I recently found out about state agricultural energy grants I’m eligible to receive. The deadline is 10/20, so it’s a bit of a crunch. I can apply for one of these per year:
Battery backup for my solar energy - basically a standby generator, to power my well, lights, fridge/freezer (and CPAP and phone modem by extension). I wanted to do this anyway, but it was really expensive, and might have taken too much space in my basement
Heat pump in the greenhouse - this is a new 21’x48’ Gothic roof with double layer, inflated, 6mm plastic. I was not going to heat this because I didn’t want to use the electricity nor bring in propane, oil, or wood burning. It’s close to my barn full of hay, and horses. It has power in conduit, but not the 220 it’d need. That is available in the barn next door, though. There are 2 free 30a in there, and this heat pump requires 40-50a. The first year, we’d have to run it on our own electricity. We have a $120 credit right now. It might cost $1500 extra in energy that year, which would give us an electric bill. BUT, we don’t have to use it. We could apply for additional solar panels to power it the second year. The drawback there is that we could not get the batteries for 3 years…
I am unfairly favoring not doing the heat pump now, just because I don’t feel like dealing with subs. I’d have to lose 2 windows on the greenhouse, and replace with ones that are half the height (these were salvaged). I’d have to have 220 run not only to, but all the way across the greenhouse. But, it’s free, and would save me trying to keep things above freezing using techniques like row covers, hot compost, heat sinks…. I have no intention of growing tropicals all winter. I’m in New England and just want to keep things above freezing. Okay, 40 degrees would be nice. Apparently I could also use this for cooling, which would let me grow greens in summer. Not terribly important, but nice.
The grants are $20K each, so it seems silly to leave anything on the table. I didn’t feel that the heat pump company was that knowledgeable, and I’m a little weary of building… I also have not gotten a reply from my electrician looking for advice. The solar company is super to deal with and I trust them.
Battery backup for my solar energy - basically a standby generator, to power my well, lights, fridge/freezer (and CPAP and phone modem by extension). I wanted to do this anyway, but it was really expensive, and might have taken too much space in my basement
Heat pump in the greenhouse - this is a new 21’x48’ Gothic roof with double layer, inflated, 6mm plastic. I was not going to heat this because I didn’t want to use the electricity nor bring in propane, oil, or wood burning. It’s close to my barn full of hay, and horses. It has power in conduit, but not the 220 it’d need. That is available in the barn next door, though. There are 2 free 30a in there, and this heat pump requires 40-50a. The first year, we’d have to run it on our own electricity. We have a $120 credit right now. It might cost $1500 extra in energy that year, which would give us an electric bill. BUT, we don’t have to use it. We could apply for additional solar panels to power it the second year. The drawback there is that we could not get the batteries for 3 years…
I am unfairly favoring not doing the heat pump now, just because I don’t feel like dealing with subs. I’d have to lose 2 windows on the greenhouse, and replace with ones that are half the height (these were salvaged). I’d have to have 220 run not only to, but all the way across the greenhouse. But, it’s free, and would save me trying to keep things above freezing using techniques like row covers, hot compost, heat sinks…. I have no intention of growing tropicals all winter. I’m in New England and just want to keep things above freezing. Okay, 40 degrees would be nice. Apparently I could also use this for cooling, which would let me grow greens in summer. Not terribly important, but nice.
The grants are $20K each, so it seems silly to leave anything on the table. I didn’t feel that the heat pump company was that knowledgeable, and I’m a little weary of building… I also have not gotten a reply from my electrician looking for advice. The solar company is super to deal with and I trust them.
