Renewable energy has benefited farmers across New York State. On February 23 The US Department of Agriculture released results of the 2009 On-Farm Renewable Energy Production Survey. The number of farms and ranches using renewable energy increased significantly in ten years where 8,569 operations produces their own renewable energy through solar panels and wind turbines. This was the first national survey of renewables used on farms and ranches.
The survey showed solar panels were the most used renewable energy source on farms with 7,968 operations using this source of energy. 1,420 operations used wind turbines. The survey also showed the use of rewnewables was financially beneficial to farms. Farmers in nearly every state reported savings on utility bills. Savings were especially noticeable in New York State where savings were reported up to $5000 in 2009.
Full results of the survey can be found at http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/
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