Economic Evaluation of Wind Energy as an Alternative to Natural Gas Powered Irrigation

Bridget L. Guerrero, Stephen H. Amosson, Thomas H. Marek and Jeffrey W. Johnson

Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, 2010, vol. 42, issue 2

Abstract: High natural gas prices have agricultural producers searching for alternative energy sources for irrigation. The economic feasibility of electric and hybrid (electric/wind) systems are evaluated as alternatives to natural gas powered irrigation. Texas Panhandle and Southern Kansas farms are assessed with a quarter-mile sprinkler system, three crops, and two pumping lifts. Breakeven points identify the price at which conversion from a natural gas irrigation system to an electric or hybrid system is cost effective. Results indicate electricity is a more feasible energy source for irrigation and policy changes such as net metering are necessary to make hybrid systems viable.

Keywords: Agribusiness; Community/Rural/Urban Development; Environmental Economics and Policy; Farm Management; International Development; Land Economics/Use; Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies; Resource/Energy Economics and Policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:joaaec:90680

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.90680

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