Uncommon Energy
Uncommon Farms and ARC Partner to launch 'Uncommon Energy': A New Era of Agrivoltaics
In the evolving landscape of renewable energy, partnerships that blend innovation with sustainability often lead to the most impactful changes. At ARC (Advanced Renewable Concepts), our mission has always been to empower communities through accessible solar solutions while advancing environmental sustainability. This vision has now extended to the agricultural heartland through our latest initiative, Uncommon Energy, a collaboration with Uncommon Farms. This groundbreaking project focuses on leveraging agrivoltaics—a method of integrating solar energy production with agricultural practices—to deliver tangible benefits to farms, rural businesses, and the environment.
Agrivoltaics represents more than just technological innovation. It’s a practical solution to two of the most pressing challenges we face today: energy sustainability and food production. By pairing solar panels with agricultural land, this approach allows farms to generate renewable energy without compromising productivity. For Uncommon Farms, this means helping their clients reduce operational costs, diversify revenue streams, and contribute to a greener future. Through agrivoltaics, farms can adopt a future-forward model of sustainability without sacrificing the traditions that define them.
The partnership between ARC and Uncommon Farms was born from a shared goal: creating solutions that benefit both the agricultural industry and the environment. Together, we developed Uncommon Energy as a platform to educate and empower farmers, especially those in rural areas, to embrace solar energy solutions tailored to their unique needs. This initiative focuses on educating farm coaches, providing customized solutions for individual farms, and leveraging government programs like the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to lower the financial barriers to solar adoption.
USDA REAP Grants
One of the most powerful aspects of Uncommon Energy is its ability to make solar energy accessible and affordable through existing incentives. Programs like USDA REAP grants are instrumental in bridging the gap. By covering up to 50% of total project costs, these grants significantly reduce the financial burden for farmers, enabling them to invest in sustainable energy solutions with confidence. Combined with the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which provides a 30% tax credit for solar installations, the cost of adopting renewable energy becomes manageable and worthwhile.
For farm coaches working with Uncommon Farms, understanding these incentives is crucial. By breaking down the financial benefits of REAP grants and state-level programs, they can guide farmers through a process that might otherwise seem overwhelming. These grants are more than just funding—they are an invitation to farmers to future-proof their operations, reduce reliance on volatile energy markets, and take a stand for sustainability. With Uncommon Energy’s guidance, farm coaches can present this opportunity as not only feasible but highly advantageous.
Benefits of Solar on Farms
Solar energy does more than reduce costs—it transforms the way farms operate. By adopting agrivoltaics, farms can lower their dependence on traditional energy sources and protect themselves from rising utility rates. The environmental benefits are equally significant. Farms utilizing solar energy reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a more sustainable agricultural industry. Integrating solar with farmland doesn’t just preserve agricultural productivity—it enhances it. This approach allows farmers to make the most of their land, using it for dual purposes: energy generation and crop production.
Uncommon Energy is built to deliver these benefits in ways that meet the specific needs of each farm. Customized solar installations ensure that the energy systems are tailored to the farm’s goals and operations. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution; it’s a strategic partnership that empowers farmers to embrace renewable energy on their terms. By training farm coaches to understand the financial and environmental advantages of solar, we’re creating a ripple effect that extends across communities and industries.
Imagine a rural farm with high energy costs and limited options to mitigate them. With Uncommon Energy, that farm gains access to solutions that dramatically cut utility bills while positioning it as a leader in sustainable agriculture. For example, a 200-acre corn and soybean operation in Illinois might spend $30,000 annually on energy. A 150-kilowatt solar installation costing $300,000 could reduce those energy expenses by 70%, saving $21,000 annually. By leveraging REAP grants and ITC incentives, the upfront cost could be reduced to $60,000, allowing the farm to recoup its investment in as little as three years.
From year four onward, those savings become pure profit.
Stories like these highlight the potential of Uncommon Energy to reshape the agricultural landscape. Farms aren’t just reducing costs—they’re creating a new narrative for how agriculture and sustainability can coexist. With every solar array installed, they’re not just generating energy but building resilience against future challenges.
At ARC, we’ve always believed that the future of renewable energy lies in collaboration and education. The partnership with Uncommon Farms embodies this belief, creating a program that empowers farmers while addressing the broader needs of our environment. Agrivoltaics isn’t just an innovation; it’s a movement that redefines what’s possible in agriculture.
For those interested in learning more, Uncommon Energy is here to guide the way. Farm coaches can play a pivotal role in bringing these opportunities to the forefront, helping farmers understand the value of solar energy and how it aligns with their goals. Whether it’s through lowering costs, reducing environmental impact, or strengthening the future of farming, Uncommon Energy stands as a beacon of progress. Together, we can ensure that the benefits of renewable energy reach every corner of our agricultural communities.