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Renewable and Alternative Energy
Energy is a critical issue in agriculture production. Agriculture uses energy as fuel for electricity to operate machinery and equipment, to heat or cool buildings and for light. Energy is also used to produce fertilizers and chemicals produced off the farm. Increased energy cost and the inability of farmers to quickly pass the high cost through the food marketing chain, continues to negatively impact net farm income. Electricity cost in Maryland has increased by as much as 65% since 2006. Improving energy efficiency on the farm and implementing alternative energy systems on Maryland's farms and businesses are essential for maintaining agriculture's sustainability in the region.
This site provides agriculture educators and farmers a consolidated list of the various energy technologies that are available. It also provides a list of cost share and grant programs that are available to assist farmers and homeowners to fund projects for improving energy efficiency in their homes or farms.
Picture is a large silicon solar array installed on the roof of a commercial building. Courtesy of National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.
ShareThisFor more information, contact Jennifer Timmons, Regional Poultry Specialist; 410-742-1178
Last updated: 07/18/2011
Renewable energy is energy generated from natural resources such as sunlight, biomass, wind, tides and geothermal heat.
Mainstream forms of renewable energy:
Alternative energy is a term used for an energy source that is an alternative to using fossil fuel. Generally, alternative energy is considered to have low environmental impact.