EasternIowaFarmer_Fall2023

THE ENERGY ISSUE
bills consist of one for internet service.
As farmers in Eastern Iowa explore
different energy sources for their farms
and homes, Doll’s solar-powered homestead
in Jones County – which sits among
80 acres of ground where her brother and
dad raise corn and soybeans – is an example
of how to adapt.
Doll’s energy efficient ways dictate
how she lives her life by adjusting to the
weather each season. For example, in the
winter months with fewer sunlight hours
and less energy production, she goes to
bed a little earlier and bundles up.
“I go to bed early and I only do laundry
on sunny days,” Doll said.
Doll uses two solar panels with one
producing 1,000 watts and the other 4,000
watts. Once sunlight is absorbed by PV
cells through the panel, the electrical
charges flow through her system set up in
her garage.
Hung on the wall is her inverter,
which converts the electricity from the
panel into an alternating current that the
EASTERN IOWA FARMER PHOTOS / BROOKE TILL
Doll stores excess production in four forklift batteries kept in a large wooden box. She keeps
track of how many amps are going in and out by penciling in notes on the drywall beside the
charge controller to know when she needs to charge her batteries.
electrical grid uses. Her charge controller
regulates the voltage and current from the
solar panel to keep from overcharging.
She stores excess production in four
forklift batteries kept in a large wooden
box.
Doll frequently keeps track of how
many amps are going in and out by penciling
in notes on the drywall beside the
charge controller to know when she needs
to charge her batteries.
“It is good to keep your batteries above
charge,” Doll said, since the status dictates
her daily life.
Doll’s house also is constructed for her
energy saving ways. It is composed of
stacked Styrofoam blocks with concrete
in the center and is very energy efficient.
The Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF)
CUSTOM CORN STALK AND HAY
BALING & WRAPPING
Contact: Duane Headings
for pricing or
more information
563-227-7359
62 EASTERN IOWA FARMER | FALL 2023 eifarmer.com