This solar electricity and solar thermal module provides a basic understanding and how to calculate a simple payback term for the installation of different size systems. Learn about programs that may be available to subsidize your investment.
Link to all of the Northeast Farm Energy IQ Curriculum, developed by Extension specialists from Penn State, Rutgers and University of Vermont.
This is part of the On-Farm Energy Production Curriculum Series:
Bioenergy Feedstock Production | Biodiesel and SVO | Biogas | Wood and Grass Pellets | Solar Electric and Thermal | Wind Power
This module includes:
- Solar – Module Overview.pdf – instructions for presentations to Ag Service Providers (ASP) and Farmers
- Solar – ASP Presentation.pdf
- Solar – ASP Presentation Outline.pdf
- Solar – ASP Handouts.pdf
- Video of ASP presentation: Solar Energy – Ed Johnsonstonbaug; by Rutgers CPE Media Productions
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Educational Materials for educators, service providers, and farmers:
- Solar Fact Sheet.pdf – Solar PV Electric Systems; is there a good fit for me? Penn State Extension
- DOE Solar Foundation.pdf – Solar Accounting: Measuring the Costs and Benefits of Going Solar. www.TheSolarFoundation.org (2012).
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Solar – Activity.pdf
PV-calc.xlsx
- Solar – Activity (Solution).pdf
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Solar Energy in Agriculture – Links to Resources
Module Author: Ed Johnstonbaugh provides extension programs for Penn State in renewables and “smart energy buying and use”, including an energy credit co-op and other energy programs. He has over 25 years of experience with utility companies in the energy
If you wish to adapt these curriculum materials for your own educational purposes, please contact the Module Author for permission and files: