Renewable energy projects have been popping up across the country. Locally, new solar projects have been installed on acreages and connected to the grid. Other solar and wind developments have been proposed for the area.  Solar panels can now be seen on many homes and businesses.   

There are many terms flying around related to renewable energy projects such as residential solar, solar farm, community solar, community wind, utility scale project, residential project, etc. ‘What is the difference between these terms?’ ‘How do they fit into my home energy picture or on my land?’ University of Illinois Extension’s Environmental and Energy Stewardship Educator Stanley Solomon will discuss these questions and much more at a Solar and Wind Renewable Energy Seminar on Friday, Nov. 19. The seminar will be held at the Morgan County Extension office, 104 North Westgate in Jacksonville, starting at 1:30 pm.

“Solar or wind farm are generic terms used for larger projects,” explains Solomon. “Most ‘farms’ supply energy to the regional utility grid. However, many of the newer solar and some wind developments are community-oriented projects supplying energy to the local electric grid. The developments offer residents and businesses an option to a system installed at their location.”

These community projects offer homeowners and residents opportunities for participating in renewable energy benefits, including locking in lower energy costs and local energy production. The benefits include the system located away from the residence and managed by someone else.  We will look at the economics and policies driving these renewable energy developments.

To register for this event online, go to https://go.illinois.edu/solarwind or call 217-243-7424.

Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in program and employment. If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in programming, call 217-243-7424. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your needs.