Farm Energy

This fact sheet demonstrates how the average consumer, with a simple set of tools, can calculate the real-world capabilities of a solar panel. These skills are particularly important when identifying a defective solar panel and/or confirming the output of a solar panel when its output parameters are unknown. Author: Drew Schiavone, Ph.D.; Title: Working on Solar Panels and Power Output (FS-2022-0646)

In this report, we explore the historical trends, current status, and potential growth of Maryland’s solar photovoltaic (PV) market in terms of market share, use sectors, and current investments. Author, Drew Schiavone. Title: Solar Panels are an Increasingly Common Sight on Urban and Rural Properties Across Maryland (EB-455)

How much energy is used on Maryland farms? The energy used to perform many routine crop and livestock operations may cost your farm several hundred or thousands of dollars each month. On average, 15% of agricultural production costs in the United States are spent on the fuels and electricity used for equipment operation (see Figure 1) as modern agricultural equipment uses a significant amount of fuel and energy. Additional costs arise from the energy used indirectly through petroleum-based products (i.e., fertilizer and pesticides) and through transportation which becomes a concern for more rural farms with products traveling further to markets. The cost of this energy comes amidst growing concerns over low farm profits, rising energy prices in the ag sector (EIA, 2019), and Maryland’s rapidly changing energy environment which requires 50% of the state’s electricity to be generated from renewable energy sources by 2030. The greatest impact of the changing energy market is expected on those farms using a lot of machinery due to their elevated fuel use, and smaller farms that are unable to distribute their energy costs. Author: Drew Schiavone; Title: Understanding Farm Energy (FS-1138)