Bio
Energy literacy, as it relates to farm energy management, renewable energy, biofuels and farm sustainability, is a key educational focus area for F. John Hay, an extension educator in biological systems engineering. Hay focuses on the feasiblity and detailed economic analysis of renewable energy systems for residential and business use. He develops and teaches energy curriculum for youth and adults that focus on energy literacy issues relevant to Nebraskans. Youth curriculum topics have included solar engineering; "Wired for Wind," a wind turbine curriculum used nationally and an energy literacy board game under development. Other topics include farm energy management, biofuels and agrivoltaics, such as grazing sheep or growing crops under large solar arrays. Hay installed a solar photovoltaic array at his home in 2017 and has conducted multiple hands-on workshops to teach others about solar design, installation and economic calculations for solar energy systems. (Updated November 2024)