Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, the Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works and officials from the Maryland Department of Environment officially kicked off construction of a solar project providing clean energy to the Bureau of Utility Operations (BUO) Complex in Millersville. The Capital Project will consist of a combination of four carports and seven rooftop solar arrays, producing 1.3 megawatts (MW) of power.
The Department of Public Works was awarded a $3 Million Alternate Source of Energy Project Grant from the Maryland Department of Environment’s Energy Water Infrastructure Program (EWIP). The EWIP grant represents 73% of the $4,110,394 total project investment. The project will offset more than 90% of the current electricity demand at the Complex.
“This project shows that saving tax-payer money and protecting the environment do not have to be mutually exclusive,” said County Executive Steuart Pittman. “I am proud that Anne Arundel County is a leader in efforts to create affordable clean energy solutions where possible.”
The system is expected to satisfy more than 90% of the total annual electricity needs of the BUO Complex. In the first year of production, the combined systems are predicted to generate 1,645 megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean electricity.
Project Information
- A total of 2,932 solar modules. (1,532 roof top mounted and 1,400 parking lot canopy).
- Rooftop arrays are being installed on 5 buildings (Bldgs. A, B &C) and 2 sheds (generator & material storage).
- Parking lot canopies are being installed in both the employee and County equipment vehicle areas.
- The estimated annual energy production is 1,645,580 kilowatt hours of electricity (AC).
- The electricity credits will be applied to the County accounts through BGE’s Net Aggregate Metering program.
- As the County becomes more energy efficient at the Complex, solar electricity could exceed demand and generate revenue to the County.
- Approximately 1,600 Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRecs) will be generated yearly.
- SRecs can be sold on the energy market and vary in value based on current demand. The most recent selling price for 1 SRec in Maryland was $59.
- The reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions is estimated at 1,166 metric tons each year and equivalent to the burning of 1.3 million pounds of coal.
