In the current economic climate, every cent saved matters; and while electric fencing may not be a massive drain on energy, it is often an additional and unwanted expense on Irish farms.
Solar fencers offer a fantastic, cost-saving alternative to mains-powered and traditional battery-powered fencers. By converting sunlight into electricity stored in an internal battery, they deliver a reliable pulse that deters livestock effectively and keeps them safe. In this week’s blog entry, we take a look at some of the key advantages of solar fencers as an alternative to traditional electric fence systems.
Going off grid?
The advantages of using off-grid electric fencing may be brought into stark relief in the days ahead. As the country faces a barrage of summer thunderstorms, grid failures in some areas will almost certainly occur. By using a solar fencer, you can ensure continuous livestock security and containment even during power cuts.
Advantages for rotational grazing
Because solar fencers are lightweight and compact, they are easy to move around. This makes them ideal for rotational and strip grazing systems for both cattle and sheep. On our farm we have had great success in this endeavour. The solar fencer has been key to facilitating an effective grazing strategy and improving land and grass quality.
Cost saving
As mentioned above, the solar fencer is extremely cost-effective. It operates entirely by on renewable solar energy that costs you nothing. Sunshine, as they say, is free. The solar fencer is also more cost-efficient than the traditional 9V battery fencer, which has to be changed every few months. While a single 9V batter is unlikely to give you more than a season or two, the solar fencer continuously tops up an internal rechargeable battery that can function for years.
Durability and safety
Once set up, solar fencers require very little manual intervention. A routine voltage check should be conducted and, as in the case of all fencers, encroaching vegetation should be removed regularly.
The solar fencer is actually much safer than the traditional battery fencer. Because they aren’t connected to the grid, they are immune to power surges. The internal battery also has a management system that keeps the battery charge at an optimum level, preventing it from draining completely and extending the overall lifecycle of the unit.
The Takeaway
Solar fencers are a smart investment, allowing you to stock proof your paddocks in a way that is both cost-efficient and environmentally friendly. For the astute farmer, they're simply a no-brainer!
