Solar Technologies Installs 74.6 kW Solar Power System for Brockman Farming 

Solar Technologies recently completed a 74.6 kW solar power system for
Brockman Farming, Inc. in Madera County.  Brockman Farming wanted to reduce
their consumption of resources and their electric bill for their citrus and pistachio orchards. At the same time, they needed to show a reasonable rate of return on the expenses. With that in mind, they chose to install a solar power system by Solar Technologies to power the main pair of irrigation pumps, totaling 140 hp, which are capable of supplying water to approximately 200 acres of orchards.

Brockman Farming is a wholesale producer of 350 acres of Satsuma Mandarins, Mercots, Minneola Tangelos and Navel oranges. Additionally 40 acres of  Pistachios are grown at the site. A microjet irrigation system is used to water their orchards.

The solar power system is comprised of 448 Mitsubishi 180 watt solar panels and a 95 kW Solectria inverter placed on a ground-mount in the middle of the citrus orchards. Solar Technologies designed and located the solar power system in order use it in conjunction with the farm's biggest and most productive well. “With a deep well pump operating at 100 hp and a pressure pump at 40 hp, it takes a lot of electricity to power these pumps,” said Harold Brockman, President of Brockman Farming.

Since Brockman Farming now qualifies for a time-of-use rate with Pacific Gas & Electric, the solar power system will be producing a significant amount of electricity during peak hours at the highest electricity rate, during periods when the well is not being used. The credits built up during these periods will offset the cost of the electricity used during off-peak hours when the electricity rates are lower.

The farm is now able to use its best well 25% more at a lower cost. Mr. Brockman estimates that he is able to offset the $23,000 per year electricity bill at this pump site by $20,000. His internal rate of return on this investment is in the double digits. He also will be taking advantage of a federal business tax credit of 30% and an accelerated depreciation schedule on this asset.

“We are committed to helping farmers take their farms to the next level in sustainable agriculture and are pleased that Brockman Farming took that step, because becoming sustainable makes financial sense for farmers,” said Roger DeNault, President of Solar Technologies.

Brockman Farming is currently farming on an IPM (Integrated Pest Management) basis which has allowed a significant reduction in their reliance on broad spectrum insecticides. This includes sustainable practices such as using wasps to control red scale and utilizing narrow spectrum insecticides to reduce impacts on beneficial insects.

About Solar Technologies

Solar Technologies is a Santa Cruz, CA-based solar power installer designing and building solar power systems for the past ten years for commercial and residential electric users. Visit their website at www.solartechnologies.com or call 831-421-0440 for more information about installing a solar power system on your business or home. 312 Locust St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060