Across the River Agriculture

Workshops to Help Farmers Better Understand Solar Electric Systems

By Steve Atkinson / February 5, 2022

ON-FARM SOLAR WORKSHOP SERIES HITS THE ROAD IN MARYLAND — Are you interested in using solar electricity to power your home, farm, or business? If so, you’ll want to join one of the University of Maryland Extension’s Solar Workshops that is nearest to you. Each workshop will be geared towards the location that it’s being offered, but all participants will explore the opportunities and challenges associated with solar electricity, or solar photovoltaics (PV). Residents, farmers, and business owners will learn more about how solar electricity can be sustainably used in powering homes, farms, and businesses across the state.

In light of Maryland’s high energy costs, as well as the decreasing cost of solar technology, many are choosing to offset their energy use with small-scale solar electric systems. Others have an interest in the various environmental benefits associated with solar electricity. Various federal and state policies, including tax credits and solar renewable energy credits (SRECs), have further contributed to this residential and commercial market growth. The leasing of land to support large-scale solar installations has also come under the spotlight recently, with over 200 megawatts (MW) of utility-scale capacity installed in Maryland since 2017. Regardless of the motivations, Maryland has become one of the fastest-growing solar energy producers in the country, ranking 17th in the nation for solar power production in 2020.
If you’re considering solar for your home, farm, or business, or if you are simply interested in learning more about solar electricity, then please join the nearest Solar Workshop to you. Attendees will learn about the opportunities, challenges, and practical applications of solar PV in Maryland. Each workshop will cover important topics and hands-on training to help you decide if solar is right for you, and how you can install a solar electric system that will meet your needs. Topics will include:
  • market trends and opportunities for Maryland’s solar industry;
  • Basic principles of solar technology and system components;
  • System sizing and design through load and site assessments; and
  • Economics, financing, and incentives for solar electric systems.

These Solar Workshops kick off in March, but please visit the event website,go.umd.edu/Solar2022, to discover additional dates and locations which are to be scheduled later this year.  Workshops are free to attend, but registration is required. More information and registration details can be found online at go.umd.edu/Solar2022.

SCHEDULED DATES
Date: March 23, 2022  |  Wednesday
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Garrett College CTTC Building, 116 Industrial Park Drive, Accident, MD 21520
 
Date: March 30, 2022  |  Wednesday
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Western Maryland Research and Education Center, 18330 Keedysville Road, Keedysville, MD 21756

Date: April 6, 2022 |  Wednesday
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: University of Maryland Extension-Charles County Office, 9501 Crain Highway #1, Bel Alton, MD 20611
Date: April 13, 2022 |  Wednesday
Time: 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: University of Maryland Extension-Wicomico County Office, 28647 Old Quantico Road, Salisbury, MD 21801
Date: April 20, 2022 | Wednesday
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: 4H Park (Williams Bldg), 8230 Detour Road, Denton, MD 21629
Date: April 28, 2022 | Thursday
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Allegany College of Maryland,  12401 Willowbrook Road,  Cumberland, MD 21502

The workshops will be presented by Dr. Drew Schiavone, energy specialist with the University of Maryland Extension, and other guest speakers. For more information, or if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Drew Schiavone (dschiavo@umd.edu, 301-432-2767).

University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.

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