Solar energy applications in agriculture: potential, research needs, and adoption strategies

Technical Report · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:7221162

Bender, F E; Cowan, A M; Dillon, R W; Hansford, Jr, J D; Hurdis, D A

Objectives pursued in this study are: (1) assessment of present agricultural operations to determine those with potential for use with solar energy; (2) development of recommendations for an overall experimental research program to establish the technical and economic feasibility of using solar energy in agricultural operations; and (3) formulation of recommendations for strategies to achieve adoption of solar energy components and systems in agriculture. Applications of solar energy to the following aspects of agriculture are examined: grain drying, tobacco curing, peanut drying, broiler housing, swine production, farm housing, greenhouses, and irrigation. Current fuel prices for each of the agricultural regions (determined by crop production) are also reviewed.

• Research Organization: Maryland Univ., College Park (USA). Agricultural Experiment Station
• OSTI ID: 7221162
• Report Number(s): PB-265105; A-184
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140900* -- Solar Thermal Utilization
140901 -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Space Heating & Cooling
140905
140909 -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Miscellaneous Solar Applications-- (1980-)
AGRICULTURE
ANIMAL SHELTERS
BIOMASS
BUILDINGS
CEREALS
DRYING
ECONOMICS
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FOOD
FRUITS
GRAMINEAE
GRASS
GREENHOUSES
HEATING
IRRIGATION
PEANUTS
PLANTS
PUMPS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SHELTERS
SOLAR DRYING
SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR HEATING
SOLAR SPACE HEATING
SOLAR WATER PUMPS
SPACE HEATING
TOBACCO