The installation is the first solar project to be operational under the Maryland Energy Administration's Project Sunburst initiative, which utilizes funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to promote the installation of solar photovoltaic energy systems on public buildings in Maryland.

The Combined Support Services Complex houses Anne Arundel County's facilities and maintenance, fire protection and school storage departments. The facility's on-site solar power system uses approximately 3,060 roof-mounted crystalline photovoltaic solar panels and will supply an estimated 900,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.

The new solar installation is expected to offset 90 percent of the building's annual electricity consumption, saving the county an estimated $80,000 per year in utility costs.

"This project serves the dual purpose of decreasing our reliance on fossil fuels and also saving taxpayer dollars," Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold said.

"Fiscal discipline and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive goals."

Anne Arundel County received a $750,000 grant from the Maryland Energy Administration's Project Sunburst program to pursue its solar power system, which is among the largest installations to be funded under the program. Constellation Energy financed the balance of project costs and owns and operates the system.

Anne Arundel County is purchasing the electricity produced by the system from Constellation Energy over a 20-year period, at a cost less than projected market rates.

"Constellation Energy is proud to be at the forefront of solar energy generation in Maryland," said Ron Melchior, vice president of renewable energy for Constellation Energy's retail business.

"Anne Arundel County's solar installation is a great example of how collaborations between the state and local businesses can support renewable energy and help keep electricity prices affordable."

"Investing in renewable energy is a triple win for Maryland by creating new green collar jobs now while reducing electricity bills and protecting the environment over the long term," commented MEA Director Malcolm Woolf.

"Since Project Sunburst began early last year it has created an estimated 90 jobs, positioned Maryland governments to lower costs through reduced energy bills, and added much needed clean, renewable energy generation capacity."

Statewide, Project Sunburst has been responsible for the development 9.3 megawatts of generating capacity, nearly tripling the amount of solar on the grid at the project's inception and is estimated to generate more than 12,000 megawatt-hours of renewable energy annually.

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