Expanding Affordable Access to Solar in Carroll County, MD
Community solar is distinctive for its simplicity and flexibility — it allows utility customers who are unable to access the benefits of onsite solar otherwise the option to purchase renewable energy from a local community solar project.
The 2.8 megawatt (MW) Shepherds Mill project is expected to provide savings and clean power to hundreds of local Maryland subscribers. Standard Solar financed and will own and operate the Shepherds Mill Community Solar project in Carroll County, Maryland, currently under construction and actively being subscribed in partnership with Ogos Energy LLC, Earth and Air Technologies and Neighborhood Sun.
“Community solar is an effective way to provide large numbers of subscribers access to the benefits of clean energy,” said John Finnerty, Director of Business Development, Standard Solar. “Community solar projects engage a community, starting with ratepayers interested in savings and clean energy, a landowner to provide or host the site, a servicing utility to approve the grid interconnection, efficient state regulators providing consumer protections and grants and a team of solar project engineers and system operators. Collectively, the community wins and ratepayers save. We’re particularly excited to own and operate these projects in our home state of Maryland where we’ve funded more than 35 MW of clean energy in the state.”
Community Solar Model Brings Energy Savings for Subscribers
“These projects will bring direct financial benefits to hundreds of residents of western Maryland while also cleaning our air and helping fight climate change,” noted Gary Skulnik, CEO of Neighborhood Sun. “Together with Standard Solar and the others involved in the projects, we’re proud to be helping improve life in our home state.”
The project received grant funding from the Maryland Energy Administration’s (MEA) FY20 Community Solar LMI PPA Incentive Grant Program (LMI-PPA Program) designed to help extend the benefits of community solar projects to members of the Low and Moderate Income (LMI) community. LMI subscribers are guaranteed additional discounts on the community solar portion of their electric bill. All other residential customers are guaranteed to save 10% annually by switching to community solar power.
