Renewable Energy Resources
Generating renewable energy is an essential part of building a sustainable energy system. On this page, uncover more about renewable energy sources, including wind, sunlight, waste plastic, and biomass. Access educational resources on high-efficiency homes, organic waste to energy production, and solar energy leases.
Renewable Energy Sources
Renewable energy is energy derived from replenishing natural sources. Trees are one of the most popular and useful renewable energy resources. Wood energy can be utilized in numerous ways, including pelletizing. While most pellets in use today are made from wood, biomass grass pellets from switchgrass and other perennials could be an exciting new opportunity for farmers in the US.
Wind is another natural energy resource that has quickly been growing in popularity among Pennsylvanians. Wind energy systems typically generate electricity through windmill turbines that range from small wind turbines for homes to large units that soar hundreds of feet in the air.
Other popular types of renewable energy sources are hydro energy, tidal energy, geothermal energy, and biomass energy. Find further information and learn about emerging opportunities in bioenergy and renewables with Penn State Extension.
Solar Energy and Solar Leases
Sunlight is one of the most important sources of renewable energy. One of the main solar energy advantages is that sunlight is an abundant resource that is not finite or exhaustible.
Generally speaking, there are two main types of solar energy systems – photovoltaics and thermal. Solar photovoltaic systems use various methods, including silicon panels, to convert solar radiation to electricity. Thermal systems aim to store heat from the sun via active systems (such as solar hot water heaters) or passive systems (such as buildings that automatically store and utilize solar energy).
With utility-scale solar electricity projects expanding across the States, many landowners are faced with the decision of whether to lease their land for solar energy development. Leases can provide extra income to landowners; however, it’s worth noting that this leasing decision can affect the property in the long-term.
Penn State Extension provides property owners with a number of educational resources on solar leasing. Webinars and workshops are available on how to ensure a good lease deal, as well as what to consider before signing a lease for solar development.
Waste to Energy
Bioenergy, or biomass energy, is energy derived from organic matter that can be used to fuel vehicles, as well as produce heat and electricity. While wood is among the best-known biomass energy sources, bioenergy can be generated by using other resources, such as materials that would otherwise go to waste. Resource recovery is an important step towards reducing the volume of waste entering the landfill while gaining valuable energy.
What’s more, converting waste to energy provides the US with an excellent opportunity to increase sustainability and grow new business ventures. Potential waste streams include food processing waste, urban wood waste, and waste plastic. Additionally, by utilizing an anaerobic digester to convert manure to energy, animal waste can be used as an alternative energy source for many livestock farmers, as well.
On this page, find comprehensive information on renewable energy sources. Topics include, among many others, manufacturing fuel pellets from biomass and producing waste biogas from stackable materials. An online course on applied biogas technology is also available. The course teaches the basics of biogas, allowing participants to learn how it’s produced, as well as its advantages over fossil fuel.
- Articles
Solar Panel Glare: Is it an Issue?
Residents in a community with a proposed solar project might be concerned about the solar panel glare of the proposed solar array. While these concerns have merit, proper regulation through a zoning ordinance can protect against these issues. - Articles
Policy Landscape of Anaerobic Digestion
Anaerobic digesters can offer renewable energy, increased profitability, and sustainability for farms. - Webinars
C-CHANGE: Perennial Grass to Gas - Regenerative Farming Strategy
Length 1 hourJoin us to learn about utilizing perennial grasses as feedstock for biogas production and exploring their environmental performance. - News
MASBio Discussions: The Role of Biochar in the Forest Economy
Date Posted 3/1/2024This article is part of the "MASBio Discussions" news article series, in which we provide an overview of recent insights shared by researchers as part of the MASBio seminar series. - News
MASBio Discussions: Stakeholder Engagement, Dreams and Realities
Date Posted 3/1/2024This article is part of the "MASBio Discussions" news article series, in which we provide an overview of recent insights shared by researchers as part of the MASBio seminar series. - Articles
Harnessing Hydrogen for Farm Vehicles
Hydrogen, a clean and abundant energy source, offers environmental and economic benefits. - Webinars
Free
Exploring the Policy Landscape for Livestock Anaerobic Digesters
When Watch NowLength 1 hourRecorded Feb 20, 2024The most recent research examines the variations in state-level governmental policies in the USA concerning anaerobic digestion. This study delves into the evolving trends within these policies. - Webinars
Free
Large-Scale Solar in Pennsylvania: 2024 General Update
When Watch NowLength 1 hourRecorded Feb 15, 2024Join us for an inclusive discussion covering the broad scope of large-scale solar, including siting, zoning considerations, common concerns, and current/proposed legislative and policy initiatives. - News
MASBio Discussions: Biomass Feedstocks for Bioenergy and Bioproducts
Date Posted 2/12/2024This article is part of the "MASBio Discussions" news article series, in which we provide an overview of recent insights shared by researchers as part of the MASBio seminar series. - Articles
Unraveling the Hydrogen Rainbow: Green, Blue, and Gray Hydrogen Production
Understanding the basics of green, blue, and gray hydrogen is essential as we explore the hydrogen rainbow. - Articles
Solar Panel Components: Safety
Though the health and safety of our communities are good things to be concerned about, solar panels are not a danger. - Webinars
Free
Unlocking the Power of Hydrogen for Energy, Industry, and Agriculture
When Watch NowLength 1 hourRecorded Jan 18, 2024Join us to discover hydrogen basics, its varied uses (the "hydrogen rainbow"), its role in clean energy, industry, and agriculture, and exciting glimpses into its future development. - Webinars
Free
C-CHANGE Grass2Gas: Profitability of Mixed Feedstock Anaerobic Digesters
When Watch NowLength 1 hourRecorded Dec 12, 2023Join our webinar to discover fresh insights from the C-CHANGE grass-to-gas program, offering innovative ways to enhance the efficiency and financial success of anaerobic digesters. - Articles
Agrivoltaics: What Does That Mean?
Agrivoltaics is a concept that combines the sun's power with agriculture. - Webinars
Free
C-CHANGE Grass2Gas: Reimagining Anaerobic Digestion for the Future
When Watch NowLength 1 hourRecorded Nov 14, 2023Explore the C-CHANGE Grass2Gas project and its focus on using perennial and winter crops as feedstock for anaerobic digestion. - Webinars
$10.00
Renewable Energy Academy: Applied Energy Efficiency for Homes and Businesses
When 11/13/2023Length 1 hourRevamp your space with the Renewable Energy Academy webinar! Learn energy efficiency upgrades for homes, land, and businesses with this on-demand viewing! - News
Penn State Extension to Offer Anaerobic Digestion for the Future Webinar
Date Posted 11/6/2023The New Targets, Sustainable Markets: Reimagining Anaerobic Digestion for the Future webinar is the second in the 6-part Change Grass 2 Gas webinar series. - Webinars
Free
C-CHANGE Grass2Gas: Bio-Based Value Chain from Perennial and Winter Crops
When Watch NowLength 1 hourRecorded Oct 17, 2023This webinar will present project objectives and the team and offer a brief overview of early findings regarding the expanded use of perennial and winter crops in anaerobic digestion. - News
Penn State Extension to Offer Agrivoltaics and Large-Scale Solar Webinar
Date Posted 10/19/2023The Agrivoltaics and Large-Scale Solar webinar will discuss agrivoltaics as it relates to large-scale solar developments. - Webinars
Free
Potential Lithium Resources in Produced Fluids of the Appalachian Basin
When Watch NowLength 1 hourRecorded Sep 20, 2023Attend this informative webinar to analyze the estimated lithium quantities present in fluids produced within the Appalachian Basin! - Webinars
$10.00
Renewable Energy Academy: Energy Policies and Programs
When 10/01/2023Length 2 hours, 45 minutesThis on-demand webinar will teach you the significant varieties of biofuel that can be created, describe the process of making biofuel from biomass, and describe the performance of typical vehicle engines when fueled with biofuel. - Articles
Harnessing Renewable Energy: A Sustainable Future for Farming
In this article, we will explore these renewable energy options and delve into how they positively impact the economics of the farming industry, along with possible funding opportunities. - Tools and Apps
On-Farm Digester Assessment Tool
Use this spreadsheet to estimate the economic returns from an on-farm anaerobic digester - Articles
Exploring the Potential of Hydrogen in Agriculture: Farming with a Green Future
In this article, we will explore the future applications of hydrogen in agriculture and its current uses in the industry. - Webinars
Free
Large-Scale Solar from the Developer Perspective
When Watch NowLength 1 hourRecorded Jun 15, 2023Attendees of this informative webinar will learn about developer challenges and how to overcome them.