Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett announced the County’s largest solar initiative ever at an event in Chevy Chase on Monday, October 19. The solar initiative with SolarCity encompasses 14 individual projects and will produce approximately 6 million kilowatt-hours each year – enough to power nearly 600 average size homes. The County will realize significant savings from the move to clean solar, with combined project savings expected to be approximately $11 million dollars over the next 20 years. The announcement highlighted the first phase of the initiative, led by the Department of General Services (DGS), at the Jane Lawton Community Recreation Center in Chevy Chase.
The first phase of the project, competitively awarded to SolarCity, will include the installation of solar panels on libraries, recreation centers, correctional facilities, Department of Environmental Protection Solid Waste Services’ sites and other County buildings, grounds and parking lots.
To expand the amount of clean energy installed in Montgomery County and the State of Maryland, the County government will host more than five and a half megawatts (MW) of solar on County buildings and facilities. The systems will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4,200 metric tons annually, the equivalent of taking 870 cars off the road or planting 100,000 trees. Additional projects are currently being identified. DGS will work with departments to create programming to educate future green technology professionals about the benefits of renewable energy.
For more information about the event go to Solar and Advanced Energy Initiative.
