Minnesota Farm Incentives

FarmYou can invest in high-efficiency farm equipment and earn hundreds in cash back from Alliant Energy. Rebates available for Minnesota farms include:

To learn more about how your farm can benefit from new high-efficiency technology, contact your Ag Services account manager today!

Download the 2009 Minnesota Agriculture Cash Rebates booklet.

 

Farm Energy Audit

FarmAlliant Energy-IPL's Farm Energy Audit is a FREE on-farm assessment that:

  • Pinpoints energy waste on grain & livestock operations
  • Identifies energy-efficient technologies that will reduce energy usage
  • Makes energy-efficient equipment recommendations
  • Informs you of available agricultural rebate programs

After your assessment is complete, you can earn cash back when you invest in recommended high-efficiency equipment.

To qualify, farmers must be retail electric customers of Alliant Energy-IPL in Iowa or Minnesota. Farm operations of all types and sizes are eligible.

To learn more about a Farm Energy Audit, contact your Ag Services Representative or call our Business Resource Center toll-free at 1-866-ALLIANT (1-866-255-4268) today!

Download the Farm Energy Audit brochure [PDF]

 

Automatic Milker Takeoffs

Milker equipmentYou can save hundreds of dollars per year by using automatic milker takeoffs.

Other advantages include reduced labor, a more consistent indication of the end of milking, less drudgery and less running from cow to cow—making the parlor a more pleasant place to work.

With the energy savings and a $5 per cow rebate, the cost of the equipment is usually paid for in three years or less.

Download the Agricultural Dairy Equipment claim form [PDF]

Learn more about high-efficiency milking equipment

Calculate your potential energy savings

 

Heat Reclaimers

Heat reclaimersThe average dairy farmer spends about $70 a month to heat water for cleaning milk pipelines and other dairy equipment. By installing a milkhouse heat reclaimer, you can save 60 percent to 80 percent—that's $45 to $55 every month.

A milkhouse heat reclaimer removes waste heat from your milk cooling compressor and pipes it into the water-heating system. This preheated water reduces demand on your hot water heater, saving you money.

And if you're an Alliant Energy-IPL retail electric customer and use electricity to heat the water in your milkhouse, you're also eligible for a cash rebate of $5 per cow.

Download the Agricultural Dairy Equipment claim form [PDF]

Learn more about high-efficiency heat reclaimers

Calculate your potential energy savings

 

High-Efficiency Lighting

Hogs in well lit building Energy-efficient fluorescent, high-pressure sodium or metal halide lighting fixtures and lighting controls for agriculture applications are eligible for incentives.

Rebates range from $5 to $30 depending on the fixture and are limited to 50 percent of total installed equipment cost.

Qualifications include:

  • Fixtures or controls must be installed on agricultural property owned by Iowa or Minnesota retail electric customers of Alliant Energy-IPL.
  • Agricultural fixtures and controls must meet state electric code and be rustproof, waterproof and corrosion resistant.
  • Fixtures must be UL listed.
  • Fixtures must be permanently wired (bulbs may be removable).

Download the Agricultural Lighting claim form [PDF]

Learn more about energy-smart lighting for your farm

Efficient and Safe: what you should know about CFLs and mercury

 

HFarm equipmentigh-Efficiency Ventilation Systems

Mounted ventilation systems equipped with high-efficiency fan and motor combinations can keep your livestock comfortable and save you up to 30 percent a year on operating costs.

Plus, when you install qualifying fan-motor combinations, you can earn cash incentives ranging from $45 to $150. In addition, if you install a thermostat or environmental controller to control the fan, you’ll also receive a $20 incentive per fan controlled.

Fan-motor combinations must also meet these additional specifications:

  • Tested by the Bioenvironmental and Structural Systems lab at the University of Illinois. Call Alliant Energy-IPL at 1-866-ALLIANT for qualifying models.
  • Wired for 208-volt or 240-volt service.

Download the High-Efficiency Ventilation Systems claim form [PDF]

Calculate your potential energy savings

Learn more about high-efficiency ventilation systems

 

Livestock Waterers

Cows drink from watererNew energy efficient livestock waterers will ensure a fresh supply of water—at big savings to you! You can save up to $80 per year with an energy-efficient model compared to a standard model.

Plus, you'll get a cash rebate of $40 for each new unit you install. With the energy savings and incentives, the higher cost of an energy-efficient waterer is usually paid for within three years.

All livestock waterers must have both:

  • Two inches or more of insulation completely surrounding the inside of the waterer
  • Electric heating element (non-electric waterers do not qualify)

Adjustable thermostats are required only on waterers with a heating element greater than 250 watts.

Download the Livestock Waterers claim form [PDF]

 

Low-Pressure Irrigation Systems

Irrigation systemHigh-pressure irrigation systems can use a lot of energy. Converting to low-pressure irrigation will take some of the pressure off your energy bills.

Low-pressure irrigation systems deliver all the water you need for your crops, when and where you need it, at significant savings.

Installing a qualified system will save 10 percent to 35 percent on energy costs and earn you a one-time cash incentive of $20 for each acre of land you irrigate if you are an Alliant Energy-IPL retail electric customer.

The low-pressure system must operate on 50 percent or less of the pressure of a standard irrigation system.

Download the Low-Pressure Irrigation Systems claim form [PDF]

Learn more about the benefits of low-pressure irrigation

Calculate your potential energy savings

 

Milk Precoolers

Milk precoolerHow much do you spend to cool your milk? On average, a dairy farmer spends about $75 a month on milk cooling. By installing a milk precooler, you can save 20 percent to 30 percent—that's $15 to $20 every month.

A precooler will cool milk with well water before it reaches the bulk tank to provide quick cooling and ensure the quality of the milk you produce. This precooled milk reduces the demand on your bulk tank compressor—and that saves you money.

If you are an Alliant Energy-IPL retail electric customer, you'll also get a cash incentive of $3.40 per cow for saving energy.

Download the Agricultural Dairy Equipment claim form [PDF]

Learn more about high-efficiency milking equipment

Calculate your potential energy savings

 

Tractor Heater Timers

Tractor heater timerTractor engine block heaters use a lot of energy to keep a tractor warm enough to start on cold winter mornings. Installing a tractor heater timer can save a significant amount of energy and still ensure the tractor engine is warm enough to start.

Typically, the savings from installing a timer on an engine block heater will pay back the investment in less than one year.

In addition, if you are a retail electric customer of Alliant Energy-IPL, you will receive a $10 incentive for each timer you install.

In order to qualify for a rebate, the timer must be a UL-listed device and be rated for a minimum of 15 amps continuous duty. Only one heater should be connected to each timer.

Download the Tractor Heater Timers claim form [PDF]

Calculate your potential energy savings

 

Variable Speed Drives for Dairy Vacuum Pumps

A variable speed drive for dairy vacuum pumps constantly monitors the air flow needed to maintain a stable vacuum and adjusts the motor speed. By slowing down or speeding up the motor, the pump only runs as fast as necessary. This results in substantial energy and cost savings.

You can save hundreds of dollars per year by using a variable speed drive controller on your milking vacuum pump. With the energy savings, the cost is usually paid back within three years.

Alliant Energy-IPL will pay you a cash incentive of $5 per cow when you purchase and install a qualifying variable speed pump.

In order to qualify for a rebate, the vacuum pump must be controlled by a UL-listed device which meets applicable IEEE standards for harmonic control.

Download the Variable Speed Drives claim form [PDF]

Calculate your potential energy savings

This program is effective January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2009, and is subject to periodic review and modification by Alliant Energy-IPL.

Alliant Energy-IPL does not guarantee that the installation of high-efficiency equipment will result in reduced usage or demand or in cost savings. Alliant Energy-IPL makes no warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to any equipment purchased and/or installed, including, but not limited to, any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall Alliant Energy-IPL be liable for any incidental or consequential damage.

Products and services from Alliant Energy-IPL detailed here are offered to customers of Alliant Energy-Interstate Power and Light Co.