ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Community solar opens the benefits of solar to anyone who receives an electric bill, including lower-income residents, businesses, municipalities, schools and non-profits. In addition, its cost competitiveness and ability to expand into new markets is driving investments in Maryland communities at a time when they are greatly needed.
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.
“Allegany County is proud to have an innovative energy project that brings investment as well as long term tax revenue to the local economy for years to come,” said Jake Shade, President of the Allegany County Board of Commissioners.
Standard Solar, Inc., a leading solar energy company specializing in the development, funding and operations of solar electric systems nationwide, is bringing more than 8,000,000 kWh of annual energy supply to Maryland community solar subscribers, in partnership with Ogos Energy LLC, Earth and Air Technologies and Neighborhood Sun.
The two projects, a combined 5.5 megawatts (MW), are expected to provide savings and clean power to approximately 800 Maryland households as subscribers.
“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 land owner 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.”
“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.”
Standard Solar financed and will own and operate the community solar farms. The Flintstone Community Solar project, located in Allegany County Maryland, and the Shepherd’s Mill Community Solar project in Carroll County Maryland are both under construction and are actively being subscribed.
The projects 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.
For more information on these projects and to sign up for community solar in Maryland visit: https://neighborhoodsun.solar/pefe/
These projects in Maryland – and more in the state that are currently approved for design and in-construction – join Standard Solar’s 150+ MW of community solar projects funded and operating with partners around the United States.
About Standard Solar
Standard Solar, Inc. is a leading solar energy company specializing in the development and financing of solar electric systems nationwide. Dedicated to making Distributed Generation (DG) solar more accessible to businesses, institutions, governments and utilities, the company is forging the path for clean, renewable energy development through turnkey solutions. With more than 100 megawatts installed, financed and maintained, Standard Solar is one of the most trusted and respected solar companies in the US. Owned by Énergir, a leading energy provider with more than $5.8 billion US in assets, Standard Solar operates nationally and is headquartered in Rockville, Md. For more information, please visit www.standardsolar.com
About OGOS Energy
OGOS Energy LLC is a Maryland-based renewable energy development company that focuses on "community scale" solar electricity generating projects. Its mission is to accelerate the development of reliable and cost-effective renewable energy generation assets serving the mid-Atlantic region in order to meet demand, contribute to sustainability of the environment, create beneficial regional economic activity, and reward its investors. The company has originated more than 6 megawatts of ground-mounted solar projects that are in operation and/or under construction and has an additional project pipeline exceeding 25 megawatts. Ogos is a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) co-founded by its CEO Michael G. Miller and Advisory Board Chairman, Lt. General Joe N. Ballard, U.S. Army (Retired). For more information, please visit http://www.ogosenergy.com.
About Earth and Air Technologies
Earth and Air Technologies, LLC is a veteran owned small business headquartered in Westminster Maryland. With over a decade of experience and over 30 megawatts of renewable energy systems developed, installed, operated and maintained, we bring the unparalleled capabilities of installing a small battery back-up system for a home to full scale utility photovoltaic (PV) solar system installation. Earth and Air is a certified Subscriber Organization in the state of Maryland with a staff of certified PV installers with the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), Master Electricians and various equipment manufacturer’s installation and service certifications. For more information, please visit http://www.earthandairtech.com.
About Neighborhood Sun
Neighborhood Sun is a Maryland-based B Corp that is a leader in community solar customer acquisition and management. The company has fully subscribed five projects with several thousand customers that are part of its program. It is the highest ranked B Corp among all community solar companies because of its commitment to transparency, good governance, and the community it serves. With its newly released Sun Engine ™ platform, it now offers solar developers a top quality software service to manage their portfolios of projects and customers. For more information please go to NeighborhoodSun.Solar
