The University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) will install more than 2,600 solar panels this summer, resulting in one of the largest rooftop solar power systems in Maryland.
The university was selected as a Maryland Energy Administration Project Sunburst Initiative Partner and awarded a grant to help promote the installation of renewable energy systems on public buildings in Maryland.
This 631-kilowatt system will produce about 792 megawatt hours of electricity each year. According to UMD, electricity from the solar panels will reduce the university’s carbon footprint by over 600 tons per year, the equivalent of eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from 64,000 gallons of gasoline per year, or nearly 1.3 million gallons over the life of the contract.
The solar panels will be installed on the roof of the Severn building, about a mile from its main College Park campus. Learn more.
A panel of experts in the field of renewable energy discussed clean energy in Maryland and the plans and impact of solar, wind, and nuclear projects in the state at the Maryland Chamber Business Policy Conference, on November 5.
“Over the last several years we have heard about the threats that are before us, such as rolling black outs and brown outs,” Delegate Sally Jameson, who moderated the panel, said. “We need to keep our eye on the ball and make sure we keep moving our state forward, so that when we go for that light switch, it works the way we should.”
The panel included David Blazer, Maryland Project Manager for Bluewater Wind, Mike Petrucci, VP of Global Affairs for BP Solar, and Paul J. Allen, Senior Vice President and Chief Environmental Officer for Constellation Energy. View videos of the panelists presentations below.
David Blazer discusses the success and potential of wind power, and the future of wind power in Maryland:
Mike Petrucci discuses BP Solar’s presence in Frederick, Maryland and the increasing growth of solar power:
Paul J. Allen discusses Constellation Energy’s environmental and conservation efforts, as well as new projects within Maryland:
McCormick and Company, Inc. has recently completed the installation of their solar power project.
The system, which was installed by Constellation Energy, includes 2,100 solar panels and can generate about one megawatt of electricity, the amount used by about 110 homes in a year, according to a press release. McCormick’s electricity costs are expected to be reduced by approximately 30 percent in the first year, and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing about 150 vehicles from the road annually, the press release stated.
A celebration was held to mark the completion of the project last week with representatives from McCormick and Company, Inc., Constellation Energy, and state and local government in attendance.
“We at McCormick are excited by this project because it is one of our most visible sustainability projects to date, but I’m proud to say that our commitment to the environment goes back many, many years,” said McCormick President and CEO Alan Wilson in the press release. “These solar panels provide renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gases within the community and provide McCormick with energy cost savings—the classic win-win. We are an agriculturally-based business and are mindful of the environment and take measures to preserve and protect those resources.”
The University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) will install more than 2,600 solar panels this summer, resulting in one of the largest rooftop solar power systems in Maryland.
