Standard Solar Completes 2 Megawatt Solar Project for University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Horn Point Laboratory
Standard Solar, Inc., a leading solar energy company specializing in the development and financing of solar electric systems nationwide, has completed a 2 megawatt (MW) solar array at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science's (UMCES) Horn Point Laboratory. Standard Solar and UMCES partnered to develop a solar project designed to significantly reduce UMCES' environmental footprint.
"As a research institution committed to understanding and the protecting the environment, we must be a leader in efforts to manage our campuses in ways that reduce energy consumption and increase sustainability," said Peter Goodwin, president of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. He also serves as Vice Chancellor for Sustainability for the 12-institution University System of Maryland.
Standard Solar financed the project through a power purchase agreement (PPA) and will maintain and operate the solar array in exchange for the use of land. In turn, UMCES will purchase the equivalent energy being generated over the next 20 years from the array.
The 11,000 panel, 2 MW system has an expected first year generation exceeding 4,000 megawatt hours of solar renewable energy, offsetting the CO2 emissions from 2,850 pounds of coal burned. Additionally, the power generated offsets approximately 12 multiple on-campus meters through Maryland's Aggregate Net Energy Metering (ANEM) policy.
"It's exciting to see UMCES join many organizations and educational institutions implementing onsite power generation further demonstrating their continued leadership to the environment and to sustainable practices" said John Finnerty, director of business development, Standard Solar. "Putting our team expertise and funds to work alongside their unwavering commitment, UMCES - Horn Point Laboratory will now operate with the benefits delivered from the clean, renewable, zero emission, and zero greenhouse gas energy."
UMCES was also awarded a grant from the Maryland Energy Administration's Solar PV Canopy with EV Charger Grant Program to include four level-II electrical vehicle charging stations with a carport. Work on the carport and charging stations was done simultaneously with the ground-mount array and are currently in operation and providing parking for about 46 vehicles.
Standard Solar | www.standardsolar.com
UMCES | www.umces.edu
