Agricultural Solar Installation Redding, CA

Addy Solar & Electric provides agricultural solar installation in Redding, CA for farms and ranches looking to cut energy costs and run on solar. We design and install systems built for working properties across Northern California.

How Solar Systems Work for Agricultural Operations

Agriculture depends on reliable power for irrigation, storage, and equipment. With strong sunlight in Northern California and rising utility rates, solar helps cut costs and stabilize expenses.

We design systems based on your actual energy use, typically using open land for installation. Most operations see lower power bills from day one, with payback in 5 to 10 years depending on system size and incentives.

Ground-mount systems designed for agricultural properties
Sized to offset irrigation, cold storage, processing, and facility loads
Federal tax credits still available for commercial and agricultural entities
MACRS accelerated depreciation for qualifying farm operations
Ongoing monitoring and maintenance to protect your investment

Why Farms & Ranches Are Going Solar

Farming is already a thin-margin business. Energy is one of the few operating costs you can actually control. Here is what solar does for agricultural operations.

Cut One of Your Biggest Operating Costs

Irrigation pumps alone can account for thousands of dollars in electricity every month during the growing season. Cold storage, processing equipment, and facility power add to that year-round.

A solar system sized to your operation can offset 50% to 100% of that usage, turning a major variable cost into a fixed, predictable expense.

Take Advantage of Commercial Tax Incentives

Agricultural operations that qualify as commercial entities can access the federal Investment Tax Credit, which allows you to claim a significant percentage of your system cost as a tax credit.

On top of that, MACRS accelerated depreciation lets you write off the remaining cost of the system over five years.

Combined, these incentives can recover a large portion of your investment in the first few years.

Protect Against Rising Utility Rates

PG&E rates for agricultural accounts have been climbing steadily. Every rate increase eats into your margins.

Solar locks in your energy cost at a predictable rate that does not change with the utility market. While other operations absorb rate hikes, your energy expense stays flat.

Put Unused Land to Work

Most farms and ranches have open land that is not in active production. A ground-mount solar array turns that acreage into a revenue-producing asset.

The system generates energy that offsets your costs every day while the land underneath remains your property.

Some operations also graze livestock around ground-mount arrays, getting dual use from the same acreage.

What Agricultural Operations Should Know About Solar

Solar for agriculture is different from residential or standard commercial. The loads are seasonal, the properties are large, and the equipment demands are specific. Here is what matters when planning a system for your farm or ranch.

Seasonal Energy Patterns

Agricultural energy usage is not consistent year-round. Irrigation pumps run hard in spring and summer but sit idle in winter.

Processing equipment may run seasonally. Cold storage runs year-round but at varying loads.

We design systems based on your full 12-month energy profile so the system is sized correctly for your actual usage pattern, not just your peak month.

Net Metering for Agricultural Accounts

When your solar system produces more energy than you are using, the excess feeds back to the grid and you receive credit on your utility bill.

During high-production months when irrigation is off, those credits bank up. During heavy-use months, you draw them down.

This banking effect helps balance your seasonal energy swings and maximize your annual offset.

Ground-Mount Installation on Agricultural Land

Ground-mount systems are the standard for agricultural solar. They are built on open land using driven piles or ballasted racking, and they can be placed on marginal land that is not suitable for crops.

We design the array layout to avoid interfering with irrigation lines, access roads, and active production areas.

Permitting for ag land is typically straightforward in Shasta County and surrounding areas.

Financing & Incentive Stacking

Agricultural operations can stack multiple incentives to significantly reduce the net cost of a solar system.

The federal ITC, MACRS depreciation, USDA REAP grants, and state programs can all apply to the same project.

We work with your accountant or financial advisor to identify every incentive your operation qualifies for and build them into the project economics.

Get in Touch

Make the switch to solar and take control of your energy costs.

How We Build Solar for Your Farm

Analyze Your Operation

We review your utility history, walk your property, and understand your energy needs across all seasons. We identify the best location for the array and map out any constraints like irrigation infrastructure, access routes, and setbacks.

Design & Proposal

We design a system sized to your operation and present a full proposal including equipment specs, energy offset projections, incentive analysis, and financing options. You see the numbers before committing to anything.

Permitting & Installation

We handle all permits, utility coordination, and inspections. Installation is scheduled around your farming calendar to avoid disrupting operations during critical seasons.

Monitoring & Maintenance

We set up remote monitoring so you can track production from your phone. Our team provides ongoing maintenance including cleaning, inspections, and repairs to keep the system performing year after year.

Why AG Operations Choose Addy Solar & Electric

We have been installing solar systems in Northern California since 2012, including ground-mount arrays on agricultural properties across Shasta, Tehama, and surrounding counties. We understand how farms work and how to build systems that fit.

Ground-Mount Specialists

Ground-mount systems are our bread and butter for agricultural clients. We handle site prep, racking, panel installation, and grid connection on open land without disrupting your operation.

Dual Licensed for Electrical & Solar

We hold both C10 Electrical and C46 Solar classifications. Pump connections, panel upgrades, and solar installation are all handled by our crew under one contract.

We Work Around Your Season

We schedule installation around your farming calendar, not ours. If you need the work done before planting or after harvest, we plan accordingly so your operation is never disrupted during critical periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does agricultural solar cost?

Agricultural solar systems vary widely in cost depending on system size and site conditions. Small farm systems may start around $50,000.

Larger operations with heavy irrigation and processing loads can exceed $500,000. Federal tax credits and MACRS depreciation can recover a significant portion of that cost.

We provide a full cost and savings analysis as part of our proposal. Request more info to get started.

Can solar power my irrigation pumps?

Yes. Irrigation pumps are one of the most common loads we offset with agricultural solar.

A properly sized system can cover your entire pumping energy cost during the growing season. Net metering credits earned during off-season help balance the annual usage.

We also install dedicated solar-powered pump systems for operations that need off-grid irrigation. See our solar-powered irrigation page for more details.

What tax incentives are available for farm solar?

Agricultural operations that qualify as commercial entities can access the federal Investment Tax Credit, MACRS accelerated depreciation over five years, and potentially USDA REAP grants.

These incentives can be stacked on the same project and often recover 40% to 60% or more of the total system cost.

We recommend working with your CPA to confirm your eligibility. Our team handles the system documentation needed for tax filings and grant applications.

Will a solar array interfere with my farming operations?

No. We place ground-mount arrays on land that is not in active production, like unused corners, marginal acreage, or buffer zones.

The array is designed to avoid irrigation lines, access roads, and equipment paths. Some operations also graze sheep or other livestock around the panels for dual land use.

Installation is scheduled around your farming calendar so there is no disruption during planting, growing, or harvest.

How long does an agricultural solar system last?

Solar panels are warrantied for 25 years and typically produce well beyond that. Inverters last 10 to 15 years and may need one replacement during the system’s life.

The racking and mounting hardware is built to withstand decades of exposure. With regular maintenance, your system will produce energy for 30+ years.

We provide ongoing monitoring and maintenance to keep your system performing at its best throughout its lifespan.

Put the Sun to Work for Your Farm

Lower your operating costs, lock in your energy rate, and put unused land to productive use. Addy Solar & Electric designs and installs solar systems built for working agricultural properties. Send us your utility data and we will show you the numbers.