Agricultural practices which could enhance solar powered irrigation plant utility. Research report, September 1977--May 1978

Technical Report · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:6567375

Larson, D L; Altobello, M A; Williams, D W

Solar power plants only utilized to drive irrigation pumps may be unused for 2 to 7 months and under-utilized during other periods of the year. The energy use schedules presented show increased utilization of on-farm solar power plants is possible. Some of the increase could be obtained by providing electricity for other applications and altering pumping schedules; additional utilization could be obtained through use of waste thermal energy. Pumping schedules could be altered substantially if irrigation or cropping practices were modified or water were stored. The latter may not be economically feasible, the former are limited by climate, soils and terrain, farm management and crop marketing. Residences are located on most farms, fall harvested grain commonly is dried for storage, and livestock and poultry operations require electricity and some heating. Crop processing operations, such as cotton ginning, and other agricultural businesses, for example greenhouses, also require thermal and electrical energy. Farms commonly are very specialized and would not include several enterprises. Establishment of more general purpose agricultural operations or joint ventures would be required to obtain a wider range of uses for excess energy. More complete utilization of solar power plant output can be obtained on the farm. However, major changes in farming practices or structure are generally necessary to substantially alter the present use pattern or increase the number of applications.

• Research Organization: Arizona Univ., Tucson (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-04-0789
• OSTI ID: 6567375
• Report Number(s): SAND-78-7071
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
FARMS
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
IRRIGATION
ENERGY DEMAND
REGIONAL ANALYSIS
WATER RESOURCES
LOAD MANAGEMENT
TOTAL ENERGY SYSTEMS
USES
AGRICULTURE
ANIMAL SHELTERS
BUILDINGS
CALIFORNIA
COLORADO
COST
CROPS
DATA
FARM EQUIPMENT
GREENHOUSES
HAWAII
IDAHO
KANSAS
MANAGEMENT
NEBRASKA
NEW MEXICO
OKLAHOMA
OREGON
POWER DEMAND
PUMPS
SOLAR DRYING
SPACE HEATING
TEXAS
WASHINGTON
WATER REQUIREMENTS
DRYING
EQUIPMENT
HEATING
INFORMATION
MIDWEST REGION
NORTH AMERICA
PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION
POWER PLANTS
RESOURCES
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
SHELTERS
SOUTHWEST REGION
USA
WESTERN REGION
140700* - Solar Thermal Power Systems
140600 - Solar Energy- Photovoltaic Power Systems
553000 - Agriculture & Food Technology
140704 - Solar Thermal Power Systems- Total Energy & Hybrid Systems- (1980-)