MENOMONIE, Wis. (WPR) Those looking to cut energy costs on the farm may be able to do so with the sun, thanks to a new business agreement. 

A Menomonie company that’s producing its own solar thermal collectors hopes to provide discounted bulk rates to members of Organic Valley farm cooperative under a deal announced this week.  The Vice President of Bubbling Springs Solar, Luisa Gerasimo, says the idea is not to produce on-farm electricity – but rather to harness the sun’s ability to heat the large amounts of hot water needed for example, to clean milking equipment. She says producing heat from electricity generated by the wind or sun is inefficient, but it makes sense to use the sun to produce heat, which it does naturally.

Because solar units on farms and milk houses are new, Gerasimo estimates the installation cost will be between $10,000 and $30,000, but a bulk discount and tax credits could cut the cost by 30-percent. 

Bubbling Springs Solar got its start in the UW-Stout Business and Technology Incubator and now hopes to attract investors interested in renewable- energy, in order to keep up with the demand for their product. 

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Information from Wisconsin Public Radio, www.wpr.org