Generators
Portable Generators( 1 to 20 kW):
For smaller farms or individual outbuildings, portable models offer flexible, affordable coverage. A $ 1,000 to $ 5,000 portable unit can keep a well pump, freezer or small workshop running— but it won’ t handle high-demand systems such as ventilation or full irrigation. These require manual setup and fueling, so they’ re better for short-term or emergency use.
Towable Diesel Units( 80 to 550 kW):
Designed for large operations or multi-site coverage, towable diesel generators combine 250 to 350-gallon tanks with soundattenuated enclosures and 24 to 48 hours of runtime. They’ re not cheap, but they will power an entire facility through multiday outages and meet modern emissions standards.
Solar or Hybrid Systems:
For eco-conscious or off-grid farms, hybrid setups pair solar arrays with battery banks and small diesel backups. While the upfront cost is high, they reduce fuel use, cut noise and deliver true independence from the grid. Many farms now integrate solar systems to handle daytime loads, saving the diesel for nights or emergencies.
Fuel Choices: Best Options for Your Farm
Every fuel type has its personality— some are stubborn in the cold, others are clean but finicky about supply. Choosing the right one depends on what’ s available and how often you expect to rely on it.
Fuel Type Strengths Trade-Offs
Diesel
Propane / Natural Gas
Long shelf life, high energy density, widely available in rural areas
Clean-burning, lowmaintenance, can run indefinitely from a line or large tank
Noisy, can gel in cold weather, requires maintenance
Lower power density, not always accessible off-grid
Gasoline |
Cheap, easy to find |
Poor shelf life, vapor |
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risk, inefficient for |
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long runs |
Solar / Battery Hypbrid
Quiet, renewable, no refueling
Weather-dependent, costly to install
A practical rule: if you’ re in a remote area without reliable gas lines, diesel remains king. It’ s efficient— burning roughly 0.07 gallons per horsepower per hour— and it stores safely for months with fuel stabilizer.
Size It Right
Oversizing wastes fuel and money; undersizing leaves you stranded. To find your sweet spot:
• Add up the total wattage( or kW) of the systems that must stay on— fans, pumps, refrigeration, heaters.
• Multiply that number by 1.4 to account for motor start-up surges.
• Divide by 1,000 to convert to kilowatts.
Example: A dairy that draws 35 kW during milking and cooling should install a 50-kW generator. Go smaller and you’ ll trip circuits; go too large and you’ ll burn through diesel for power you never use.
Typical cost tiers:
• 8 to 20 kW: $ 3,000 to $ 7,000( home or small barn)
• 25 to 60 kW: $ 8,000 to $ 20,000( small farm)
• 80 to 200 kW: $ 25,000 to $ 70,000( full operation)
Remember— your generator only needs to handle your critical load, not every light bulb on the property.
Built for the Barn: Features That Earn Their Keep
Farms are hard on equipment. Between dust, vibration and weather, you need a generator that’ s as tough as the work it supports.
• ATS: Switches seamlessly from grid to generator, preventing dangerous backfeed.
• Brushless Alternators With Class“ H” Insulation: Handles long hours and heat without degrading performance.
• PMG Excitation( on 80 kW and larger models): Delivers stronger starts for heavy motors and irrigation pumps.
November 2025 | www. FarmersHotLine. com | 21