According to the 2009 USDA On-Farm Renewable Energy Production Survey, it is estimated there are 115 farms in Ohio that have installed an on-site photovoltaic solar system to generate their own electricity. In response to this growing trend, a team of OSU Extension Educators is currently developing new curriculum materials to provide farmers additional information for on-farm solar applications. The Energize Ohio team has recently started work on a short video series, which contains videos related to renewable energy and energy efficiency applications. Feel free to preview our first video that reviews a case study of how one farmer has invested in an on-farm solar system to offset a portion of his electricity needs at a swine finishing facility in northwest Ohio.
On April 21 an On-Farm Solar Energy program was held at the Huron County Extension Office. Twenty-three local farmers and residents participated in the 90-minute program. Click here to view the program summary, schedule of speakers and evaluation.
For additional details on On-Farm Solar Development, visit go.osu.edu/farmenergy.
(Submitted by Eric Romich, Assistant Professor & Extension Field Specialist for Energy Development)
