Solar electricity, produced by photovoltaics (PV), is a proven means of generating electricity from the sun, and it’s not just for high-tech houses anymore. Whether you want to be more “green” in your electrical use on the farm, you have a remote location without electricity, or you want something to supplement your electrical source, solar power could be your answer. This article will take a tour of solar power to see if brightening the inside of your barn with energy from the sun is a viable option.

Why Solar Power?

Solar power has been around for decades, but arrays of shiny blue panels are becoming more common sights on houses, businesses, and barns around the country as the technology improves, components become more readily available, and energy prices increase. Almost any existing electrical system can be retrofitted to be solar-powered (at a cost), and new construction allows a great opportunity to plan and include many options solar can provide.

While the cost of a PV system is high when compared to today’s grid power rates (the payback time for a sizable house system usually ranges from 10-30 years), many people make the choice to power their lives with solar energy because it is a non-polluting, renewable energy resource. With the projected life span of many solar panels being 10-25 years, solar energy is one investment that might eventually pay for itself, as well as being an environmentally sound choice. It also provides “green” power for your kids, their kids, and even their kids, which is truly a rare find in this age of planned obsolescence. Additionally, any properly installed PV system with quality components is codeworthy and insurable