Solar Project To Replace 35% Of Baltimore County's Power Use

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — In celebration of Earth Week 2021, a new project with partner SunPower Corp. was unveiled in Baltimore County. The company will install solar panel arrays at two closed county landfills, which are expected to generate the equivalent of 35 percent of the electricity demand of the county’s buildings and facilities and puts the county on track to exceed current renewable energy goals.

As the first large-scale solar energy projects in Baltimore County's history, these solar panel arrays will be financed, installed and maintained by SunPower and its financiers at the closed Hernwood landfill site in Woodstock and the closed Parkton landfill site. The projects now will enter the design and permitting phase, with construction expected to begin in 2022 and to be fully operational by 2023.

Under power purchase agreements, the county will pay nothing upfront while SunPower and its financiers cover the cost of the arrays. Through Maryland’s “aggregate net metering” rule, Baltimore Gas & Electric will credit the solar generated at the landfills against electric loads at other county buildings. In the next 25 years, the county will pay a flat, fixed rate per kilowatt-hour for the solar generation, which is expected to save the county millions of dollars in electricity costs.

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski also signed a new executive order setting a new goal to generate or displace the equivalent of 100 percent of Baltimore County’s electric demand with renewable energy sources by 2026 and the equivalent of 125 percent by 2030.

“We’re proud to be taking a bold step forward to ensure Baltimore County remains a statewide leader in renewable energy and helps build a greener and cleaner future for our communities," Olszewski said. “Climate change poses one of the most significant threats to our long-term health and prosperity. That is why we are thankful for this partnership with SunPower to transform these sites into productive alternative energy sources, further reducing Baltimore County's carbon footprint and helping us meet our renewable energy goals."