By HOLLY GASKILL
Solar energy has become a large part of discussions about renewable energy and agricultural investment.
Representing The Center for Energy Education, Michael Terronez gave a “Solar 101” workshop at the Wells County Chamber of Commerce to help give context and understanding to these conversations. Terronez is a community engagement and education manager for the C4EE, a non-profit based out of North Carolina with an office in Huntington.
Solar energy is just one piece of the pie when it comes to the energy industry, Terronez explained. As a form of energy production, it is nuanced and complex, as is the entire industry.
However, Terronez said one thing is clear — the need for energy is growing. Many people are living with more appliances in their homes, technology in their lives and may even be purchasing vehicles that rely on electricity.
As a result, developers are looking for ways to increase energy production to meet this need. Terronez said because solar energy is the cheapest means of production, over 75 percent of energy development applications in northeast Indiana’s power grid come from solar.
Terronez stated many aspects of solar energy are shrouded in confusion because of its relative newness and the many differences in types of panels, locations and more.
In its most standard form, solar panels capture waves from the sun to separate negative and positive particles from silicon. The movement of these particles sends out energy, which is converted into electricity.
“It works essentially like an electrical leaf,” Terronez said.
On average, one acre of solar panels produces roughly 351-megawatt hours of electrical energy per year. Solar panels can also continue to create energy on cloudy days since the sun’s rays still pass through clouds.
Solar energy is considered renewable because this process is repeatable without diminishing resources. Generally, solar panels have a 30-year lifespan and 90 percent of their materials can be recycled when decommissioned. And, because silicon is the second-most abundant resource, it is considered more viable than fossil fuels.
Terronez also addressed some of the myths and concerns surrounding solar. For example, while solar panels may seem shiny, their main job is to absorb the sun’s rays. Because of this, they reflect light and become warm in a similar way to paved asphalt.
Additionally, Terronez noted that grass and plants are able to grow on solar farms beneath and between panels. He added that some farms install panels alongside crops in a practice called agrivoltaic farming.
As a basic introduction to the topic, Terronez encouraged attendants to continue their research beyond what was presented. The Center for Energy Education’s website also includes a variety of video and article resources, as well as future local events and workshops.
holly@news-banner.com
