solar – Ad Astra Radio | Your Hometown Radio Stations & Local News Source

USDA’s Bonnie concerned about solar farms

Thursday, September 5

A USDA official is concerned solar installations will take productive farmland out of production. Undersecretary for farm production and conservation Robert Bonnie tells Brownfield. “I hear it everywhere I go, and I worry about bringing prime agricultural land out of production. Of course we... Read More.

Rep. Bost: Answer to solar encroachment lies in new farm bill

Wednesday, August 7

Southern Illinois farmers are concerned about the encroachment of solar farms on farmland. Washington County zoning administrator Matt Bierman says solar development interest is rising. “From what’s come through my office, if you figure out what their project sizes are, we’re at about 35,000... Read More.

U.S. Department of Energy announces prize for cattle, solar research

Tuesday, July 23

The director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Technologies Office says up to $8.2 million is being awarded to study the dual use of land for both solar energy production and cattle grazing. Dr. Becca Jones-Albertus says the goal of the Large Animal... Read More.

Solar Farm Summit opens lines of communication

Friday, July 12

American Farmland Trust says the recent Solar Farm Summit in Chicago allowed farmers and developers to have candid conversations about what future integration into agriculture might look like. Midwest Solar Specialist Alan Bailey tells Brownfield solar projects on agricultural lands are very much still... Read More.

Iowa biofuels plant using solar to reduce carbon footprint

Tuesday, July 9

A biofuels producer is turning to solar to help reduce its carbon footprint. Edgar Castro with Chevron Renewable Energy Group says the installation of a solar array at its facility in north Iowa will cut electricity usage nearly in half. “About two years ago... Read More.

Evergy Energy Solutions and The Monarch Cement Company Break Ground on Innovative Solar Project

Wednesday, June 12

By Evergy HUMBOLDT, Kan. — The Monarch Cement Company and Evergy Energy Solutions have embarked on a groundbreaking solar project that is set to serve as a model for the cement industry’s adoption of renewable energy. On April... Read More.

Buhler USD 313 Board Approves Memorandum of Understanding to Develop District Smart Solar Program

Tuesday, May 14

By Lucky Kidd BUHLER, Kan. — The Buhler USD 313 Board of Education Monday approved a memorandum of understanding with GRP Wegman to develop a smart solar program for the district. The project, for which USD 313 is not... Read More.

Viewing of the Solar Eclipse at the Cosmosphere

Tuesday, April 9

By Lucky Kidd HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A big crowd gathered at the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson Monday to view the solar eclipse, which had an 87 percent coverage of the sun locally.Sherry Treece with the Cosmosphere told Ad... Read More.

Barton County Approves Solar Regulations

Saturday, March 30

By Lucky Kidd GREAT BEND, Kan. — Noting the decisiveness in the community and difficulty in coming to this point, Barton County Commissioners Friday adopted three resolutions that will as a group set out regulations for large scale non-commercial... Read More.

Total Solar Eclipse to Cross North America on April 8

Friday, March 29

By Kansas Department of Transportation TOPEKA, Kan. — On Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse will cross North America. The Kansas Department of Transportation and the Kansas Highway Patrol advise travelers to plan ahead as traffic is expected... Read More.

Reno County Commission Approves Small-Scale Solar Regulations

Wednesday, March 27

By Lucky Kidd RENO COUNTY, Kan. — Following another lengthy discussion Wednesday, Reno County Commissioners approved with one change regulations for limited-scale commercial solar systems, those of 2-megawatt-capacity or smaller on lot sizes of less than ten acres.The change... Read More.