Farming feeds the world—but, on an industrial level, it’s also a major driver of climate change. U.S. farms alone contribute 10% of the nation’s total emissions, and food production as a whole accounts for 26% of global greenhouse gas emissions. From diesel-powered machinery to methane-producing livestock, industrial farming methods are taking a toll on the planet.
But a shift is underway. Sustainable agriculture and renewable energy are transforming the industry, cutting emissions while maintaining productivity. As solar energy investment surges, farms are increasingly turning to electric machinery, agrivoltaics, and off-grid renewable systems to power their operations. This month, we explore Forest Lodge Orchard, the world’s first fully electric orchard, along with other innovative renewable-powered farms in the U.S. and beyond that demonstrate that sustainability and profitability can coexist. We’ll also examine how sustainable investing is fueling this transition—and how investors can be part of agriculture’s cleaner future.
Forest Lodge Orchard: The World’s First Fully Electric Farm
Forest Lodge Orchard in Otago, New Zealand, is the world’s first fully electric orchard. Owners Mike and Rebecca Casey, leveraging their backgrounds in technology and finance, purchased a struggling sheep farm in 2019 and transformed it into a 9,300-tree cherry orchard. Initially, they had no intention of going fully electric, but as they replaced diesel-powered equipment with electric alternatives, the financial benefits became clear. Within 3 years, every machine on the farm—from tractors to frost-fighting fans—ran on electricity.
The farm now operates entirely without reliance on fossil fuels. It generates 160 kW of solar power, producing 200 megawatt-hours annually—double what it consumes. A 300 kWh battery system stores excess power and allows the farm to optimize energy costs by buying electricity when rates are low and selling it when prices rise. This shift has resulted in significant savings, cutting costs by $40,000 NZD (~$23,000 USD) per year, the equivalent financial gain of planting 1,600 additional cherry trees. Solar energy costs just 7 cents NZD (~4 cents USD) per kWh, compared to 26 cents NZD (~15 cents USD) for grid electricity and 80 cents NZD (~45 cents USD) for diesel. Beyond financial gains, eliminating fossil fuels has significantly reduced the farm’s carbon footprint, proving that sustainability and profitability can align. As the economic cost of climate change burgeons, farms investing in renewables will be better positioned to withstand economic and environmental risks.
Challenges and Opportunities in Going 100% Renewable
Transitioning to fully electric farming comes with challenges. The upfront cost of electric machinery and solar infrastructure is high, making it difficult for many farmers to make the switch. Even with financing, initial investments remain a barrier. Another challenge is winter energy demand; while the farm generates excess power, it still relies on the grid for frost-fighting fans at night. Expanding battery capacity could further reduce reliance on external energy sources, but current energy storage technology remains costly. A major obstacle to wider adoption is the lack of affordable financing. Mike Casey has emphasized the need for low-interest financing to make these technologies more accessible.
Despite these challenges, the potential for fully electric farming is undeniable. Forest Lodge Orchard has attracted over 12,000 visitors, many of them farmers interested in adopting similar systems. With better financing options, farms worldwide could replicate this model, reducing emissions and increasing energy independence. The success of Forest Lodge Orchard proves that a fully electric future for agriculture is not only possible but financially and environmentally viable.
Renewable-Powered Farming in the U.S.: A Growing Movement
Like Forest Lodge Orchard in New Zealand, where a spontaneous land purchase led to a groundbreaking shift toward fully electric farming, 5 Spoke Creamery in New York followed a similar path. Owners Alan and Barbara Glustoff bought a century-old dairy farm and transformed it into a 100% solar-powered operation. Partnering with Energize NY, they installed nearly 200 solar panels, eliminating reliance on fossil fuels and even contributing excess energy back to the local grid. Their investment in solar has also lowered operating costs, allowing them to scale up cheese production to 800 pounds per day while maintaining a commitment to sustainability. The farm is now a testing site for New York-made solar storage batteries, exploring ways to improve renewable energy reliability in agriculture.
A different approach to renewable-powered farming can be seen at Living Energy Farm (LEF) in Virginia, an off-grid agricultural community that has been running on solar power since 2011. Unlike traditional solar-powered farms that rely heavily on battery storage, LEF prioritizes direct solar power, using energy immediately rather than storing it in large battery banks. The farm powers homes, a communal kitchen, a metal workshop, and its agricultural operations with a small-scale solar installation, with only 10% of its energy passing through batteries. Instead, the farm integrates solar thermal systems, direct-drive solar electricity, and biogas production, significantly cutting costs and resource consumption.
The Role of Sustainable Investing
Sustainable investing helps propel the shift toward renewable-powered agriculture by funding electric farm machinery, agrivoltaic projects, and renewable infrastructure. Investors play a key role in scaling solutions like electric tractors, solar-powered farms, and energy-efficient irrigation, reducing farming’s reliance on fossil fuels. Agrivoltaics—where crops grow beneath solar panels—is expanding rapidly, with over 500 active U.S. sites adding 9 GW of solar capacity.
Interest in clean energy investments is surging, with some estimating a projected $181.9 billion global growth by 2028. EGEA SRI is committed to supporting low-carbon farming investments and helping investors capitalize on agriculture’s clean energy transition. Ready to take action? Contact EGEA SRI for expert insights, guidance, and opportunities to invest in solar energy and other sustainable sectors.
