Something new under the sun

A first-of-its-kind solar-powered poultry house has begun operation at a farm in Laurel, Del., owned by Allen Family Foods Inc. The house is part of a research project to evaluate the use of solar power as an economical source of energy for poultry houses.

The cost of grid electricity in Delaware has significantly increased over the last 12 months, and this has had a significant and adverse effect on the poultry industry. Poultry houses are highly energy dependent because chickens must be kept at carefully controlled temperatures with appropriate ventilation. Energy costs are borne by the growers, who are independent operators contracted by poultry companies to raise day-old chicks to maturity.

Poultry is a $1.5 billion-a-year business on the Delmarva Peninsula. In Delaware, it accounts for about 60 percent of the state’s agricultural income, and Sussex County produces more broiler/roaster chickens than any other county in the United States.

Determining if solar power makes economic sense to the poultry industry will be rigorously evaluated during three years of study at the pilot, solar-powered poultry house.
A research team of UD faculty members, students and professionals is monitoring the house to assess the system’s efficiency in collecting and using solar power. Weather data at the project site also is being monitored.

On sunny days, the solar radiation is converted to electricity and used to power the poultry house, with any additional power that’s required drawn from the commercial grid of Delmarva Power Co. At times when the photovoltaic system produces more power than the loads require, excess power is directed to a back-up battery bank and to the grid via net metering. Delmarva Power has agreed to give credit at the current market rate for energy the pilot project is able to send to its grid.

The project is a partnership among Allen Family Foods, WorldWater & Power Corp. and GE Energy. Other contributing partners are the University, the Delaware Department of Agriculture and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC).

“This project is important to help our poultry industry stay competitive and our producers remain profitable, as well as cut our dependence on foreign oil,” Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael Scuse says.

“Solar power provides a clean, safe and sustainable energy source that has the potential to eliminate standby generators and their subsequent pollution,” John A. Hughes, DNREC secretary, says. “Delaware’s poultry industry is very energy intensive. From this research, we will gain valuable information on the benefits of solar technology for the agriculture industry and for us all.”

Charles C. “Chick” Allen III, chairperson and CEO of Allen Family Foods, offered the use of a company-owned farm for the pilot study.

“We work with 550 independent contractors on Delmarva who raise our chicks,” he says. “I was happy to have the opportunity to collaborate on a research project that has the potential to reduce costs for these growers. I want to do anything I can to maintain the economic viability of the Delmarva poultry industry.”

Robin W. Morgan, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, says the project began as a modeling effort by the University’s Center for Energy and Environmental Policy and then took off at a meeting of the Delaware Science and Technology Council, when the topic of rising electricity costs was discussed. The council, which is chaired by Delaware Lt. Gov. John Carney, is a group of state officials and business and academic leaders who work to advance technology in Delaware.

The pilot photovoltaic system, which is designed to evaluate a variety of use options and generate extensive research data, will cost approximately $500,000, but the project is eligible for a rebate of $250,000 from the Delaware Green Energy Program. Solar-powered systems also are eligible for state and federal tax credits.

In addition, poultry growers can apply for renewable energy grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and they will be able to earn “green credits” for their use of alternative technology and sell these credits to other businesses.

“Success in this initiative will have a number of important benefits,” David S. Weir, director of the Delaware Biotechnology Institute, says.

“First, it will improve the profitability and sustainability of the poultry industry in Delaware, thereby strengthening the state’s economy. It will help retain jobs in the poultry industry and create new jobs in solar cell production. And, it will demonstrate a process whereby the public, private and academic sectors can get together to solve real problems.”

—Margo McDonough, AS ’86, ’95M