Dec 10 2009
The state of Maryland has selected Constellation Energy to install a 15.9 MW DC (13.5 MW/AC) solar photovoltaic power system under its Generating Clean Horizons initiative. This installation is a major part of 17.1 MW DC (14.5 MW/AC) solar facility to be constructed by Constellation Energy. The solar photovoltaic power system will cost approximately $60 million and will be owned, maintained, and operated by Constellation Energy. The company has taken land on lease from Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg for installing this solar facility. When the installation is completed by December 2012, it will be the largest solar facility in Maryland.
Mayo A. Shattuck III, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Constellation Energy, expressed delight in being part of this Generating Clean Horizons initiative and collaborating with Maryland state to provide power from renewable sources. He added that this solar facility will help to achieve the company’s shared goal of meeting future energy from renewable sources.
Constellation Energy has entered into a power purchasing agreement with the state of Maryland. The state will be purchasing solar power from the company for a period of 20 years under the terms of agreement. More than 21, 000, 000 kWh per year of solar power will be generated from this facility.
Constellation Energy will be installing thin-film photovoltaic solar panels on 100 acres of the leased land. Mount St. Mary’s University will purchase 1.2 MW of electricity from the company under the terms of agreement.
Thomas H. Powell, President of Mount St. Mary’s University, said this collaboration with Constellation Energy demonstrates the university’s commitment for the development of clean energy. He further added that students of St. Mary’s University will provide significant support for the creation of energy from renewable sources.
A collaborative initiative from the Maryland Energy Administration, the University System of Maryland, and the Department of General Services has approved four projects under the Generating Clean Horizons program for the development of large-scale renewable energy projects. This large-scale commercial renewable energy project is one among the four approved by them.
Source: www.constellation.com