Limoneira Company’s 5.5 acre, 6,400 solar panel, 1 megawatt capacity “solar orchard”–complete with observation deck–was designed to meet the rigorous standards necessary to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold-level certification. LEED is the country’s foremost standard in green building. This solar farm is the first private sector LEED Gold certification awarded in Ventura County.
The news appeared in the California Farmer, as Limoneira (founded in 1893) is one of the state’s foremost agribusiness companies, growing citrus, avocados, pistachios and cherries. Striving for LEED certification is in keeping with Limoneira’s corporate commitment to sustainability. From their website:
Sustainability with respect to farming operations include reduced water usage, erosion mitigation efforts, reduced herbicide and pesticide usage. The Company strives to operate at non-peak energy to reduce energy consumption where possible. The Company’s partnership with Agromin, a leader in green waste recycling, helps to transform green waste into safe and cost-effective compost and mulches for use in agricultural production and community projects.
c/o California Farmer
To date, Limoneira’s solar panel installation has saved the equivalent of more than 1,350 metric tons of greenhouse gases. One issue with ground-mounted solar panels in lush terrain can be vegetation growth–that is, grass. If it grows too tall, the grass can shade portions of the solar panels and drastically reduce the system’s overall productivity. (When solar installers harp on and on about shading issues, it’s not just because they love to hear themselves talk. It’s a serious concern.)
As a fun, innovative way to literally cut down on this problem, Limoneira has partnered with Future Farmers of America to introduce and care for seven miniature English sheep. The sheep can roam in, around, and presumably under the solar panel arrays to nibble on the vegetation–and keep the solar energy flowing.
I think this is great that a farm has been awarded the Leed Gold Certification. Great job on the energy savings. It is nice to see that it is possible for farms to be Leed certified and I appreciate the article also discussing what is involved in achieving that. The sheep are great!