Vertical Farm Energy Cost Estimator

1. Enter average electrical load
Use measured or duty-cycle-adjusted kilowatts when possible instead of simply adding maximum nameplate ratings.

2. Set the operating schedule
Enter the equivalent operating hours per day and number of operating days in the month.

3. Enter the energy rate
Use the electricity price per kilowatt-hour that applies to the energy portion of your bill.

4. Review energy use
Check the calculated monthly kWh before relying on the cost estimate.

5. Review monthly cost
Use the result for scenario comparison and add demand or fixed utility charges separately when they apply.

Monthly energy = (Lighting load + HVAC/equipment load) × Hours per day × Days
Monthly cost = Monthly energy × Electricity rate

Where:

• Average lighting load: entered in kW
• Average HVAC and equipment load: entered in kW
• Average equivalent run time: entered in hours/day
• Operating days per month: entered in days
• Electricity rate: entered in $/kWh

Assumptions: inputs describe the same system, batch, or planning period, and units are used exactly as labeled. The model is intentionally simple and does not add unentered losses, fees, or biological effects.

What the result means

The result estimates one month of electricity expense for the combined average loads entered.

Peak-demand charges, fixed fees, power-factor penalties, and time-varying tariffs are outside this simple energy-cost model.

Given:

• Lighting load = 95 kW
• HVAC/equipment load = 42 kW
• Equivalent run time = 17 hours/day
• Operating days = 30
• Electricity rate = $0.132/kWh

Calculation:
Energy = (95 + 42) × 17 × 30 = 69,870 kWh; Cost = 69,870 × $0.132 = $9,222.84

Result:
Estimated monthly energy cost = $9,222.84

Interpretation:
The combined loads use about 69,870 kWh in the modeled month, costing roughly $9,223 at the entered rate.