Energy Farming: Sustainability Meets Ground-Breaking Technologies

Agricultural producers within the farming sector are the heartbeat of America. We at Array couldn't be more proud to be a part of the fight against global warming, utilizing renewable energy sources like solar panels to help provide power for farmers.

Could you imagine if every farm's electricity was generated from solar arrays and farmers had the ability to produce their own biofuels? Not only would it reduce global warming emissions, it would provide an economically viable option for agricultural producers to have access to energy needed for crop growth.

Thin film solar panels installed on a shop at Farm4energy

Well, one farmer has not only imagined it, but he is also working towards it actually happening, with various proof-of-concepts already designed and functional on his farm in Upstate New York.

When we met Ian and learned about his passion for renewable energy options, we knew we wanted to support his mission. Providing solar power to increase energy independence is what we do best, and we're thrilled to have partnered with Ian and see his progress with his energy farm.

An Energy Farmer Researching Renewable Energy Sources

Ian Paddock has been involved with clean, renewable energy sources and technologies and has been building his own sustainable systems for over twenty years.

His research for more sustainable ways to generate energy, fuel, and heat reflects his passion for helping the planet, society, and the local economy.

This passion stemmed from growing up on a farm in upstate New York near Lake Ontario. With the changing times and shifts in the economy, the local community has dwindled, and many businesses haven’t been able to survive. Ian hopes his work will ultimately be able to help revive the local economy, bringing more jobs and affordable, renewable energy solutions to rural communities and beyond.

What is Farm4energy?

Based in Hammond, NY, Farm4energy is dedicated to creating solutions that incorporate both existing and new clean, renewable energy options, technologies, and ideas, which will work together to form an energy farm. The energy farm will comprise of all available fields, buildings, facilities, and people, and its primary output will be renewable energy production.

Some of the latest work on renewable energy systems ideas and technologies involves producing power from power-producing exercise equipment and installing thin film solar panels as BAPV (Building Applied Photovoltaics).

He is developing heating solutions using densified grass and biomass in the form of pellets and briquettes. Research and production of Cellulosic Ethanol from grass and biomass is also underway, with a focus on local and on-farm production.

Additionally, he is studying geothermal energy and the use of biochar, which is a fertilizer created by using ash from consumed biomass crops.

Ian also has experience working with wind power by setting up small-scale wind turbines, which will be utilized to generate electricity for his energy farm operation and sell power back to the grid.

Q&A With Ian Paddock

After learning about Ian’s research and long-term goals with energy farming, we were thrilled to be able to provide him with our thin-film solar panels to help support his journey to produce renewable energy. We also had a little Q&A with him to learn more about Farm4energy and the work he has been doing.

How did Farm4energy start? What was the inspiration?

In the early 2000s, my friend and I built our own custom-made wind generator. From there, I started looking into other clean energy ideas with a focus on what could be produced locally or at home (solar, grass pellets for heat, Cellulosic Ethanol for fuel).

I also started working on a power generator for my exercise bike. As a person with both Cystic Fibrosis and Diabetes, I need to exercise regularly.

So, I thought, *“If I'm going to ride a bike, why not make good use of it and generate some power while at it?"*

Another driver is the desire to support clean energy technologies for the planet to reduce the use of fossil fuels and create potential revenue-generating ideas for local economies and farms.

What are your long-term goals for Farm4energy?

I am interested in setting up a grass pellet and sustainable biofuel production facility that will be powered by solar and wind energy. The facility will sell pellets, fuel, and any excess electricity produced will be sold back to the grid. I plan to operate a year-round greenhouse that will be heated by the pellets and powered by solar power and wind energy generated on-site.

Producing cellulosic ethanol locally is a long shot due to complex biomass pretreatment and enzyme production processes that incur high costs. I am researching ways to make both processes more efficient.

Some may argue that farming for biofuels will take away from farmland used for food supply and dairy farming, but keep in mind that cellulosic ethanol can be made from leftover crop residues, such as corn stalks and soybean stalks.

Additionally, I would like to establish an operation manufacturing bike generators for sale to both workout facilities and homeowners.

Regarding solar energy, I'd like to also work with local solar installers and roofing contractors to provide solar systems to homeowners and businesses.

What project are you most excited about right now?

I’m looking into all clean energy, heat, and fuel ideas and working to see if and how they can be brought together to support each other on what I call an energy farm. The end goal is to provide income for individuals and also to create new localized economic and employment sources.

My current projects consist of thin film solar panel installations, grass-to-pellet manufacturing, research and development of cellulosic ethanol, designing stationary bike power generators, and maintaining a year-round greenhouse.

All of these projects are being researched and designed, and proof-of-concepts have been created simultaneously with the idea that all will work together on one sustainable farming operation.

I’ve also started some economic feasibility study work to learn more about selling products and power to the general public and to the power grid.

Conclusion

Ian’s use of solar power for energy farming and increasing energy efficiency is just one of the many ways we are proud to see our solar modules used. We are excited to see the progress with Farm4energy and the new ways Ian is using renewable energy sources to make fuel, heat, and energy for himself and his community.