Red Oak Farm

Ben Versteeg, of Red Oak Farm, a dairy farm in Charlottetown, PEI, had long been interested in solar energy—starting with a solar water heater over 15 years ago—but it wasn’t until government grants and tax incentives improved that solar photovoltaics became an economically viable option. Facing rising electricity costs and a push to electrify more of his farm operations, Ben saw solar as a smart long-term investment that could help stabilize expenses and improve margins. With support from The Smart Energy Company, he installed a NOREASTER 4 system designed for durability, flexibility, and maximum value under PEI’s restrictive energy regulations.

“When you have the opportunity of those grants or of that accelerated depreciation or tax credits related to it, you get a payback period of four or five years! There aren’t too many places you can invest your money and see a return on investment that fast.”

– Ben Versteeg, Red Oak Farm