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Study Explores Solar Thermal Applications in the Delmarva Poultry Industry

A recently released report by the Delaware Million Solar Roofs Coalition finds opportunities for cost-effective solar thermal applications in the Delmarva poultry industry. The study (sponsored by the US DOE’s MSR/SPA, the Delaware Energy Office, the Maryland Energy Administration, and the Virginia Department of Mines, Mineral and Energy) focused on the poultry industry because of the number of poultry facilities on the Delmarva Peninsula with large hot water demands.

After investigating the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of integrating solar thermal into preheating process water in feed mills, processing plants, hatcheries, and rendering facilities, it was determined that preheating water for poultry processing plants was likely the most cost-effective application of solar thermal in poultry industry. The processing plants consume large amounts of fossil fuel, especially #6 fuel oil (Bunker C) and have hot water demands that match well with the capabilities of solar hot water heaters.

A typical poultry processing plant was modeled and economic analyses were conducted on two base-case scenarios (a “large” and “small” system). The small system modeled with a $250,000 grant available in Delaware had simple payback under fiver years. Assuming base-case costs and a 30% federal tax credit, both modeled systems start becoming attractive investments when the price of fuel oil reaches about $1.30 per gallon.

While determining the cost-effectiveness of using solar thermal for a particular processing plant will depend on a customized analysis, the report indicates that solar thermal energy can be a cost-effective application for a poultry processing plant and that using solar thermal energy warrants consideration by the poultry industry on the Delmarva Peninsula. Most of the scenarios considered within the report satisfy threshold economic criteria of many companies. This type of analysis may be used by a company for a specific site to determine the type and size of solar thermal system that both satisfies its threshold economic criteria and makes a significant impact in its fuel oil consumption. Other factors such as energy independence, boiler replacement avoidance, and emissions reductions could be added to further improve the economic results.

The assumptions and analyses used in this study may also be applicable to other poultry facilities in other regions of the U.S. This report can be used by both the poultry industry and the solar thermal industry as a basis for determining if solar thermal applications are appropriate for individual poultry facilities. Interested parties can download RETScreen for free and use it to customize their analysis for company and facility-specific data.

Download the report here – Solar Thermal Applications in the Delmarva Poultry Industry

For more information on the report, contact Brian Gallagher at 877-413-1182.

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