Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch
BY RICHARD A. FLOREY
Marketing Director
EcoVantage Energy, inc.
www./ecovantageenergy.com
Who would have thought that paring modern Solar and
Wind power with the farm and ranch industry would be
such a match made in heaven? Believe it or not, it was
interest in using solar power by the agriculture industry
itself that has brought about a bevy of incentives both
state and federal.
America Program). Note that this is a grant program and
applications for these grants are held twice per year.
Information on grant availability can be found online.
Solar or Wind?
As we’ve covered before, wind power in North Texas
can be iffy. Wind generators need a steady wind flow of
12 mph minimum and a maximum of 24 mph in order to
perform optimally.
There are several sites out there that can give you
annual wind readings in your area. (See the map inset)
Wind Turbines
As earthy as farm and ranch work is in our minds, you
still need electric power to run wells, light barns and
livestock arenas, the list goes on. Some spreads have
need for power beyond the reach of the grid and having
a power company come and install a new pole just to
power a well is just not worth it. Solar well pumps to the
rescue!
From, “Texas Tax Code Incentives for Renewable
Energy” on the State Energy Conservation Office
website; “Although the state does not have a tax
exemption program at this time that provides funding
of renewable energy equipment on an individual
basis, there are a few allowable tax exemptions and
deductions.”
Now You Know
So if you’re a farm and ranch owner who’s seeking to
reduce costs through alternative energy, now is a great
time to do it. We at EcoVantage are here to help you
through it, so give us a call at 817-304-0661.
DECEMBER 2016
PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY
Texas offers this property tax exemption that allows
residents to take an exemption from taxation (using
form 50-123) of the amount of the appraised value
of the property that arises from the installation or
construction of a solar or wind-powered energy device
that is primarily for the production and distribution of
thermal, mechanical, or electrical energy for on-site use,
or devices used to store that energy. “Solar” is broadly
defined to include a range of biomass technologies.” Go
to the website (http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us) for more
information and forms.
Federal alternative energy grants are available through
the USDA through their REAP (Rural Energy for
Reduce That Load!
Just a quick reminder to replace your outdoor vapor
lights with LED lights. LEDs perform much better in both
better light and in energy consumption.
Solar Well Pump
49