Upon its completion in December, a 2.1 MW solar array in Pocomoke City, MD will be the largest municipally-owned system in the state. Standard Solar, a provider of the full-service development, construction, integration, financing and installation of solar electric systems, developed and is installing the ground mount solar system at the City’s wastewater treatment facility.
“Pocomoke City calls itself ‘The Friendliest Town on the Eastern Shore’ and now thanks to the foresight of City officials and this innovative solar project, it is well on its way to being known as the greenest town on the Eastern Shore,” said Tony Clifford, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Solar. “With no financial outlay required by the City, sizeable savings in electricity costs and positively contributing to its citizen’s environmental future, more and more municipalities are seeing the short- and long-term advantages of going solar.”
The 6,150 panel array, which is expected to produce 2.9 million kWh of power per year, will offset 2,067 metric tons of CO2. Total cost savings are estimated to be more than $52,000 annually. Electricity produced by the system is expected to reduce the City’s electricity bills by more than $37,000 a year. Additionally, several local nonprofit organizations will participate in the City’s network to reduce their bills by nearly $15,000 annually.
Bruce Morrison, Mayor of Pocomoke City, said, “Our new solar system will not only help the town economically, but it also speaks to our commitment to environmental sustainability and will serve as an educational opportunity for all of us to learn about the importance of renewable energy.”
The project was financed through a long-term Power Purchase Agreement by SunEdison, who will own the array.
