Solar herd: check out N.B’s first solar farm on Open Farm Day!

This September, get a chance to see the provinces’ largest solar farm! As part of Open Farm Day in New Brunswick (Sept. 16, 2018), Auenland Farm will be holding an open house to let you see their solar operation first hand.

After 35 years of dairy farming, Frank Jopp decided to dedicate a few of his cattle fields to focus on farming something a little different – solar energy. The family farm, located in Mount Pisgah, outside Sussex, is now home to 15 towers, which support 16 solar panels each!

Panels at the provinces first and largest solar farm – photo credits to CBC New Brunswick

“I’m a sun farmer,” he told the CBC. “The largest, the first and the only. But we are very small, really. We only produce enough solar power for eight homes, or I produce a little bit more than what I need on my farm.”

Jopp told CBC that an additional 10 towers will be added to his solar farm, each supporting 16 panels. But he doesn’t want to stop there – Jopp sells every bit of energy he harvests to NB Power, and depending on how successful the expansion is, he said he may consider quadrupling his solar herd.

On Open Farm Day, dozens of farms will open their gates to the public, offering free visits to anyone interested in learning more about our food and our farms in New Brunswick!

Can’t make it in September? No problem – check out our buylocalnb.ca directory, and reach out to local farms all year round to organize a tour! Our BuyLocalNB directory also offers the tools you need to help your family eat better, while supporting local businesses, supporting our economy, and combating climate change!

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