SOUTH SIDE SOLAR
AGRICULTURAL SOLAR
Benefits to Farming the Sun
Create New Yields
Harvesting sunlight is a lot like harvesting crops, except a whole lot easier. Plant once, reap for 30 years!
Stabilize Your Operation
With tax benefits and avoiding rate inflation, reducing these operational expenses might just bring your best years yet.
Self-Reliance Through Power Independence
Produce or even store your own power, instead of relying on the utility.
Bringing Solar to Your Farm
Ohio commercial electricity marginal rates have nearly doubled in the last 5 years, at the same time solar and battery costs have fallen. There’s actually never been a better time to invest in solar.
“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”
– Warren Buffett
Things to Know About Solar for Farms:
• Farms can make money from solar in a few different ways. South Side Solar focuses on behind-the-meter systems, which aim to replace the power you would otherwise purchase from the utility for the farm’s operations.
• Investment Tax Credits (ITC) at the federal level are on a 2027 completion deadline, thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBBA).
• South Side Solar can help navigate compliance. Qualifying for the ITC does require sufficient tax liability, as it is non-refundable. Credits do rollover year-to-year, however.
• Your system will produce Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs), which can be sold for additional revenue.
• Simple Payback Periods are typically 5-9 years for commercial property.
• Financing may be available to help you access the benefits, locking in costs for years to come.
• Commercial installations can take a longer time to plan and execute, totaling 6-12 months, depending on complexity.
A solar array is the best way to take control over how you buy your energy.
Let South Side Solar be your trusted resource for all things solar with a free consultation.
WHAT TO EXPECT from south side solar
Caring for the Land and Farmers
South Side Solar’s business is built upon creating value and establishing trust with our clients.
Since 2019, we have focused on clients needs to ensure best outcomes for all, in no small way centered around the agricultural community. In fact, 3 of our first 4 projects were on barns.
Farmers are keen on making the best use of the land, and utilizing the roof area is a great place to start. On the ground, panels can also be used to provide shade for grazers, or even shade-loving plants such as leafy greens, berries and peppers.
In any case, the diversification and value they provide to the farm is an unmistakable benefit, helping generate both power and profits.
Reach out to us to get started!
“What better way to honor Mother Nature than to get even more of those natural, seasonal rhythms moving in harmony on your farm?”
- Rebekah Pierce
Powering Ohio,
one farm
at a time.
A trouble-free solution, exceeding our expectations
“Kurt worked with us to develop a 48-panel solar array placed on our barn that runs our home. He was patient with my many questions, approached the project with great professionalism, and delivered a solution that has been trouble-free and exceeded our expectations. I wouldn’t hesitate to introduce him to friends and family, in fact, I’ve done just that on many occasions.”
- Adam C. | OH
Working with Kurt was nothing but fantastic
Our experience working with Kurt was nothing but fantastic! He professionally provided all the information we needed from the first visit on. We are quite happy with our roof top installation that he designed and installed.
– Wesche Family Farm | OH
Agricultural Solar FAQ
What amount of maintenance should I expect?
Your solar energy system requires very little maintenance, because it has no moving parts.
Generally, you should expect to “repower,” or replace any string inverters, once during the life of the panels. And although some systems have been operational for over 10 years without a single glitch, others from time to time need to have inverter or optimizer issues looked into, which is identified through the system’s monitoring portal.
Often, WiFi and/or cellular communications need to be reset, although the owner may be able to update their connection through their app. Cleaning is not typically an important concern, as Ohio rainfall keeps dusting losses to a minimum.
How long until my panels get installed?
Tom Petty said it best: “the waiting is the hardest part.”
The commercial design and permitting process, plus procurement and construction, can take 6-12 months, and installation is always dependent upon fair weather. So hang tight - we’re in this together! Remember, we only have through 2027 to get it completed if you want to qualify for the ITC.
Shouldn’t we avoid using any farmland for solar?
This is a lengthy topic, and one we’re happy to discuss. In short, the systems necessary to power your farm are MUCH smaller than those taking up hundreds of acres, so they likely won’t impact much if any of your planted acreage.
But still, the impact of solar on the total amount of farmland will always be minimal compared to other threats such as urban sprawl or the amount of corn wasted on ethanol (using 40-70 times more land than solar per unit output).
What are key site criteria to consider before investing in solar?
First, rooftop projects must be installed on a worthy roof, one less than 10 years old or has many years of life remaining. Keep in mind that the solar array is designed to last for around 30 years, and it’s best to avoid needing to remove/replace the panels if possible.
Second is future facility plans. The likelihood of big changes in the load, available space, building expansion etc. should be considered prior to undertaking a solar project. This is for a few reasons; 1) lots of the value in solar is in its longevity, so you want to ensure it gets left alone once it’s installed, and 2) the best economy of scale is typically on the largest practical system, so we don’t often recommend planning to install in phases.
The last key consideration is physical infrastructure. Most buildings are OK, but your South Side Solar representative will be able to determine if the incoming voltage and electric gear is workable, and structural engineers will evaluate the roof’s capacity for weight-bearing, ballasting and/or attachments.
How do electric tractors work with a solar array?
Replacing diesel cost is another high-impact way to make the most of your solar panels, and battery technology has come a long way in recent years in capability, cost, and maturity. Electricity running costs are roughly ¼ that of diesel, and when you generate your own power, it’s even cheaper!
You will take further advantage of one of solar’s greatest benefits - hedging against cost inflation - by reducing dependence on fuel markets. We can help set up the charging, and figure out how it would affect the array sizing, along with economics.
What about small systems far away from the grid?
Although we don’t sell DIY kits for off-grid applications, sometimes it’s a great idea to use a small panel or two to power pumps, etc. in areas far from any plug.
Are leases better than loans?
Many solar companies today are offering a lease, a “pre-paid lease,” or even a loan-backed pre-paid lease, in order to retain federal tax credits, available only through these Third-Party-Owned (TPO) products because of a loophole in the latest tax code. But did you know that between the lender taking their cut of the credits, escalation clauses and likely, more expensive equipment, you might end up paying more for these systems than just buying one outright with a loan or cash?
Furthermore, leased systems do not add value to a home sale, because the buyer has to take on the lease under the same terms, whereas with a loan it gets paid off at closing with the boost in property value. Worse yet, leased systems usually do not allow for future modifications, such as adding modules or batteries.
Although the tax credit is valuable, chasing after it seems to be less so. At South Side, we don’t hold a hard line against these funding mechanisms, but encourage homeowners to be fully informed of the details involved.
In 2026, most homeowners can finance Simple Solar with a 20-year fixed-rate loan and pay less for it monthly than the utility savings it earns.