March 7, 2016
Purdue Extension workshop to explore benefits of solar energy
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - A Purdue Extension workshop in northern Indiana will demonstrate the benefits of the use of solar energy on small farms.
“Solar Energy Applications for Agriculture Workshop” will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 23 at the Shipshewana Event Center, 760 S. Van Buren St., Shipshewana.
“There has been a growing interest by farms of all sizes throughout Indiana and beyond about installing solar cells for helping offset the long-range energy costs,” said Chad Martin, renewable energy Extension specialist for Purdue University Agricultural and Biological Engineering. “The questions many have are about working with their utility company, what the payback period is, how solar compares to utility power costs and more. We hope to help answer those questions and help people make informed decisions.”
Topics and presenters:
* “Indiana Solar Installations,” Tristan Vance, Indiana Office of Energy Development.
* “Overview of Solar PV Project Development,” Alex Jarvis, Solar Systems of Indiana and Midwest Renewable Energy Association.
* “Advances in Storage - Improved Batteries,” Arlin Yoder, Wellspring Renewable Energy.
* “REMC Net Metering Program,” LaGrange County REMC.
* “Solar Thermal Hot Water Applications for Agriculture,” Darrian Petruzzi, Solar America Solutions.
* “Economic and Policy Evaluation of Solar Energy for Indiana Businesses and Residential Applications,” Jinho Jung, Purdue University Agricultural Economics.
* “USDA Rural Development REAP Grant and Loan Guarantee Program,” Curtis Johnson, USDA Rural Development.
Other sponsors of the program are the LaGrange County REMC and NIPSCO. There is no registration fee. To register, contact Steve Engleking at 260-499-6334 or sengleking@purdue.edu by March 16.
Writer: Megan Tarter, 765-496-6734, metarter@purdue.edu
Sources: Steve Engleking, 260-499-6334, sengleking@purdue.edu
Chad Martin, 765-496-3964, martin95@purdue.edu
Agricultural Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Keith Robinson, robins89@purdue.edu
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