Incentives for Your Ag Operation
Center Pivot / Linear Outlet Component Replacement
Earn An Incentive
when replacing all of a system’s existing outlet components
As an EnergyWise℠ partner, your local electric utility wants to help producers make the most of the energy needed for irrigating with all-electric systems. Participating utilities will provide a $500 incentive when producers replace all of a system’s existing outlet components such as sprinkler heads, sprayers, rotators, plates, pads and nozzles, and regulators on qualified systems.
Guidelines
- The system must be a minimum of four (4) sections in length with water supplied by an all-electric pumping system.
- The majority of the system’s existing nozzles, sprayers or sprinkler heads must be at least five (5) years old.
- Where available, refer to the systems sprinkler chart or consult an irrigation specialist to ensure the correct components are installed.
- After installation is completed, submit a completed application, W-9 form and proof-of-purchase quantifying components to your local public power utility for processing.
- Program is subject to the terms and conditions as outlined on the application and the General Guidelines.
Additional Information
Irrigation Moisture Sensor
Earn An Incentive
while improving your irrigation management
If you’re still using the hand-feel method or watching your neighbor across the road to determine when to irrigate, you’re likely overwatering. A $300 incentive may be available for installing a moisture sensor incorporated with an irrigation management program or software.
Guidelines
- The field must be a minimum size of 40 acres and be irrigated by an all-electric pumping system.
- Limit one (1) incentive per electric account unless more than 160 acres are irrigated under that account. In such cases, the limit is two (2) incentives.
- After installation is completed, submit a completed application identifying the water management system (vendor software, checkbook method, etc.) being used, W-9 form and proof-of-purchase to your local public power utility for processing.
- Program is subject to the terms and conditions as outlined on the application and the General Guidelines.
Additional Information
Corner Pivot Variable Frequency Drive (VFD)
Earn An Incentive
when installing a VFD into your corner system
Guidelines:
- VFDs installed on existing and new corner pivot systems qualify.
- Installations for converting single-phase to three-phase power do not qualify.
- After installation is completed, submit a completed application, W-9 form and proof-of-purchase to your local public power utility for processing.
- Program is subject to the terms and conditions as outlined on the application and the General Guidelines.
Additional Information
Automated Grain Aeration
Earn An Incentive
while saving on grain aeration costs
Considering most manually operated grain aeration operates three to four times longer than necessary, qualified automated systems can earn a one-time incentive of $0.011 per bushel based on the bin’s capacity.
Guidelines
- Automated aeration systems installed on new and existing grain storage units qualify.
- Qualifying systems must monitor and utilize conditions inside the bin to optimize efficiency.
- Proof-of-purchase documentation must quantify the new components and identify the purchase date.
- Incentives are based on the bushel capacity of the grain storage up to the eve of the bin and does not include the volume of the cone.
- Program is subject to the terms and conditions as outlined on the application and the General Guidelines.
Additional Information
Hog Heat Mat
Earn An Incentive
on top of the energy savings that heat mats achieve over heat lamps
The hog heat mat program provides incentives to producers that improve the welfare of their litters and save energy.
Guidelines
- Heat mats must have automatic temperature control.
- Incentives are only available for swine production operations.
- Incentive amounts are based on the size of the hog heat mat as follows:
– Hog heat map ≥ 12″ x 36″ but < 24″ x 36″ = $40
– Hog heat map ≥ 24″ x 36″ = $80 - Submit a completed application, W-9 form and proof-of-purchase to your local public power utility for processing.
- Program is subject to the terms and conditions as outlined on the application and General Guidelines.
Additional Information
Pump Testing
Earn An Incentive
for professionally testing your irrigation system's efficiency
An inefficient irrigation pump could cost thousands of dollars more per year to operate. The Pump Testing Program provides reimbursement up to $350 for testing to verify a questionable system’s efficiency.
Guidelines
- Only electric irrigation pumps 20 horsepower and larger qualify.
- Test must be performed by a licensed water well contractor or technician.
- Submit a completed application, W-9 form, proof-of-purchase and a copy of test results to your local public power utility for processing.
- Program is subject to the terms and conditions as outlined on the application and the General Guidelines.
Additional Information
Custom Ag
Earn An Incentive
to reduce your investment costs
In Nebraska, the agricultural sector spends more than $250 million annually for electricity. While your local electric utility offers various EnergyWise℠ incentive programs to help offset the costs of energy efficiency improvements, some projects are unique and do not fit a particular prescriptive program. For these energy-saving opportunities, the Custom Agriculture Incentive Program was developed.
Potential efficiency improvements may include, but not limited to:
- Irrigation pump replacement or refurbishment.
- Upgrading to low-pressure pivot or subsurface drip irrigation systems.
- Ventilation improvements to livestock confinement operations.
- Lighting upgrades in livestock confinement and feedlot operations.
- Dairy heat reclaimers.
- Updating electrically heated livestock watering systems.
- Insulating electrically space-conditioned surfaces.
Incentives up to $0.01 per kWh saved over the rated life of your project may be available. Contact your local utility to see if you might qualify for one of the efficiency programs listed above or one that could save electricity.
Guidelines
- Incentives are not available for Energy Efficiency improvements that qualify for other EnergyWise incentive programs.
- All equipment associated with Energy Efficiency improvements must be new, installed, and operational at the customer’s existing site.
- Customers must provide a complete description of the existing process components, the proposed changes and an explanation of how electricity will be saved.
- Applications must be completed, submitted to the customer’s local electric utility and pre-approved by an NPPD consultant before purchase or installation of efficiency improvements.
- Project costs less incentives will not reduce the simple payback from energy savings below a two-year period.
- Project is subject to the terms and conditions as outlined on the application and the General Guidelines.