The Agricultural Renewable Energy Conversion Incentive Program, funded in part by DOE’s State Energy Program (SEP), assists farmers and ranchers to convert fossil-fueled agricultural production systems to renewable energy power. The program will install solar panels to replace inefficient fossil fuel-powered energy systems in rural areas of Arizona. A significant feature of the program is the reduction and partial elimination of trips required (usually by diesel-powered trucks) to refuel and/or repair remotely located pumping systems. The solar panels installed are replacing inefficient fossil fuel-powered energy systems used to pump water for livestock, crop irrigation, or direct production of electricity for farm/ranch operations. Forty-one farms and ranches received matching funds for 51 renewable energy projects. Together, the 51 projects funded through the SEP grant program are projected to save farmers and ranchers more than $300,000 each year. These projects typically have payback periods under five years, and some as low as two years. The projects are also saving over 30,000 gallons of gasoline, 37,242 gallons of diesel, 9,820 gallons of propane, and producing 217,350 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity each year.

The Weatherization and Intergovernmental Programs Office (WIP) provides funding and technical assistance to its partners in state and local governments, Indian tribes, and international agencies to facilitate the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) success stories highlight the positive impact of its work with businesses, industry partners, universities, research labs, and other entities.