First Solar-Powered Center Pivot System Launched in Nebraska

By Kellan Heavican

A farm in South-Central Nebraska is the site of one of the nation’s first solar-powered center pivot systems.

Valley Irrigation and Farmers National Company recently partnered on the project, which provides power to a 7-tower, corner arm machine to help offset energy consumption to irrigate the field.

Matt Gunderson is with Farmers National Company and says it helps producers become more sustainable and increase return on investment. “We create some on farm generation not only to power a farm, but how do we tie it back into the grid system to support the electricity needs that are out there? And, long the way with it, sell that electricity back for some excess needs and create some investment opportunities and income generation for producers.”

In this Mesonet Weather Report, Oklahoma state climatologist Gary McManus explains how drought conditions are expanding across the state, while new rain chances may offer some relief. Get the latest Oklahoma weather outlook, drought updat