On November 4, 2011 we held the ribbon cutting for a simple concept: building solar panels high enough that a second use could happen under the panels. The idea came to Lyle Estill as his brother, Glen, who lived in Canada was concerned about the increase in mega solar farms. They were pushing out farmland.
"What about doing both?", Lyle thought. So, that is what we did. We operated a biodiesel plant @ The Plant and it required a good bit of electricity. Southern Energy Management, a B corp, was hired for the job and Farmer Doug Jones was on tap to plant under the panels. There were tax credits available for this type of installation and Michael and Amy Tiemann decided to take advantage of this and help the project.
News Release:
Miraverse Power and Light, Michael and Amy Tiemann, Piedmont Biofuels, Southern Energy Management, and Piedmont Biofarm are pleased to announce the ribbon cutting of their “Solar Double Cropping” project in Pittsboro, North Carolina.
Friday, November 4th, 2011 @ 4pm:
220 Lorax Lane Pittsboro NC
The public is invited to the ribbon cutting, local food, beer and music directly following.
RSVP.
The endeavor consists of an elevated 92.16 kilowatt solar array that will generate electricity above the north field of Piedmont Biofarm, while sustainable produce is harvested at the ground level. The nine-foot clearance of the solar photovoltaic system is designed specifically to encourage growing crops that thrive in partial shade.
"A first of it's kind in the renewable energy and sustainable agriculture sector, we are excited to be doing cutting edge experimentation and education right here in Chatham County" says Jenny Schnaak of the Abundance Foundation.
In 2011 we used the solar to run the "Eco-Industrial Park" which is what we called The Plant at the time. The Eco-Industrial Park was a group of environmentally focused businesses including Piedmont Biofuels, Abundance NC, Green Door Builders, Eastern Carolina Organics, Carolina Worm Castings, Piedmont Biofarm, and others.
Growing underneath was chard, okra and corn in the middle and various winter/fall greens underneath! Farmer Doug ran up against challenges with the water run off and the soil being packed down by the construction, but he overcame those issues.
Folks from all over the world heard about this project and called to ask for details. It was the start of double cropping!
14 years later, you'll find Pittsboro Farmer's Market using the shade of the panels on Thursday market. The other days it is used for overflow parking in a quickly growing commercial space of The Plant. The kilowatts feed BMC brewery.
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