April 6, 2007

US researchers testing solar-powered poultry house

A one-of-a-kind chicken house in Laurel, Delaware is being powered by the sun.

Researchers with the poultry industry and the University of Delaware are using it to determine whether solar power is an economically viable source of energy for poultry houses. The solar panels are in two ground-mounted arrays behind the chicken house.

Poultry growers say about 20 percent of their grower's expenses come from electricity.

Governor Ruth Ann Minner and state officials toured the building during its formal opening Wednesday.

The experiment will run for three years.