“1968” is scratched in the concrete floor of the chicken house at Pheasant Run Farm Bed-and-Breakfast, but the building hasn’t seen a chicken in decades. Instead of harvesting eggs, owner Vivian Abel uses the old coop to harvest energy from the sun. 

Vivian and Bob Abel installed a solar array on the chicken house that powers their Lancaster, Pennsylvania bed-and-breakfast. Besides the four rooms in a renovated 1809 stone barn set into a hillside, Pheasant Run Farm also hosts events such as weddings.

The Abels benefited from tax incentives for solar, as well as a federal Rural Energy For America Program (REAP) grant. REAP received additional money from the Inflation Reduction Act, passed in 2022.

“It was a cold day in February, and I got to pull the lever to turn it on,” Vivian said. “That was kind of exciting.”

The electric bill for the bed-and-breakfast used to run about $700 a month. Now it is usually about $100. “It pretty much furnishes the electricity for the bed and breakfast,” Vivian explained. “We are very grateful for the positive experience we have had with our solar panels.”

It also provides electricity for the outbuildings associated with the business, while electricity for the Abels’ home is metered separately. “You know, it helps us a lot with expenses to have that cut.” The tax credit helped, too, she said.

Tax credits and federal grants like REAP help businesses trim costs to weather the ups and downs of rural tourism. Reducing ongoing power bill costs allows Pheasant Run Farm to keep its prices affordable for guests and helps the business turn a profit by selling excess power.

Besides saving money on their energy bill, Vivian and Bob receive two annual checks, one from their utility and one from their solar company for energy generation beyond their usage. “It’s not giving us a fortune, but it’s certainly helping.”

Vivian and Bob both had long careers as elementary and reading teachers before retiring in the early 2000s. Since retiring 22 years ago, they’ve been welcoming guests to four rooms, named with nods to past and future generations. Henry & Anna’s Room and Catharine’s Room are named for former property owners, and Olivia’s Room and Violet’s Room are named for their granddaughters. The renovation of the barn earned them an award for Adaptive Re-use by the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County.

As they think of the future, they consider building a banked, accessible home with solar on a south-facing roof. Vivian notes that the newer all-black panels blend seamlessly into a roof.

“I like things to be pretty,” she said with a laugh. That attention to detail can be seen in the rooms, where color palettes blend as seamlessly as modern solar panels.

The Abels steward about 47 acres. They have extensive gardens and rent out 26 acres planted in seed corn. The renter is a former employee of the family that rented the land for three generations. This long-standing arrangement not only sustains agricultural traditions but also reflects the Abels’ rootedness in Lancaster County, where such relationships are integral to the local fabric.

Lancaster County is a well-known destination for visitors interested in Amish culture and crafts. Abel appreciates the tranquility of their home. She said: “It’s very quiet and peaceful. We’re set back from the road a good distance.”

“It’s a beautiful part of the country right here,” she said. “We’re the garden spot.”

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was an incentive package passed by the 117th U.S. Congress designed to reduce inflation, reduce drug prices, and lower climate emissions. The IRA was signed into law in August 2022 by President Joe Biden. The legislation included a $20 billion boost in funding and availability of USDA conservation programs for farmers and private landowners, including $8.45 billion for EQIP.