Red ApPle Farm, Massachusetts
The Challenge
The Red Apple Farm has been owned and tended by the Rose family for 4 generations. Not only does the farm harvests its own apples it allows you to pick-your-own, holds events and educational tours for families, groups and businesses. With the rising cost of energy the Rose family wanted to generate their own electricity and produce an income. The Red Apple Farm wanted to show leadership within the community in combating climate change.
The Solution
New incentives for farms to install renewable energy systems have made generating your own green electricity a viable option. The Red Apple Farm received grants and rebates covering roughly 90% of the total project cost. This enabled them to receive a quick payback period of less than 2 years.
The Benefit
The wind turbine will generate approximately 70% of the farm’s electricity per year. The main benefit of the wind turbine will be after it pays for itself within 2 years it will continue to produce an income for the Rose family while decreasing their energy bills. The estimated annual output will be 19,000kWh per year and will assist with lowering their CO2 emissions by 8,550kg per annum. The Red Apple Farm has shown community leadership with their commitment to the environment and can educate future visitors on the benefits of wind power.
Al Rose, Owner The Red Apple Farm “I expect the system to pay for itself in less than two years and after that, it will be generating money for me."
Summary
Turbine Size: Proven 35
Tower height: 15m
Wind regime: Average
Sector: Rural
Grants/ Funding: 90% secured using USDA Rural Development Grant, AEEP Grant, MTC Small Renewable Rebate Federal & State Tax Incentives
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