New Solar Installation Completed at Franklin's Restaurant

Sunday January 22 is a special solar inaugural celebration for the first commercial solar thermal installation in Prince George's County. Located on the rooftop of Franklin's, the trail blazing restaurant, brewery, and general store in Hyattsville, the 11 solar collectors capture solar heat and transfer it to preheat water used in vast quantities by the bustling restaurant and microbrewery. The Franklin's solar project was initiated by a local community solar group, Franklin's Community Thermal Solar LLC, who saw the Franklin's location as a landmark for Hyattsville and the entire Route One corridor in suburban Maryland, and a way to highlight new community solar installations in Prince George's County. The celebration will be held from 3 to 4 pm at the Hyattsville Municipal Building at 4310 Gallatin Street. Local leaders and politicians will speak as well as officers of the community solar group. The project was partially supported by a generous grant from the American Biophysical Society. The solar installation was designed and installed by Carlo La Porta and Albert Nunez of Capital Sun Group Ltd of Cabin John, MD. Visit https://sites.google.com/site/franklinsthermalsolar/general-solar-llc-info for more information.

The community solar movement is flourishing in Maryland thanks to special legislation that allows groups of people who lack a sunny roof or live in apartments and not have a roof for solar panels to work together to finance, support, participate and benefit from a community solar project on a roof with good sun exposure. The first community solar project in Maryland is up Route One at the University Park Church of the Brethren, 4413 Tuckerman Street, which began operating in 2010 and was founded by several people involved in the Franklin's thermal solar LLC.

Following the remarks and light refreshments, attendees can stroll to Franklin's to admire the solar collectors just visible above the metal parapet on the restaurant roof. Those who wish to toast the project and many more solar projects in our future may purchase their own beer from more than a dozen brewed on site or enjoy a bite to eat, all made with the assistance of solar hot water.