MCEC Helps Howard County Expand Solar Capabilities

The Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC) joined Howard County, the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS), and Howard Community College (HCC) on August 11, for the signing of a joint memorandum of understanding (MOU) and the launch of a joint request for proposals (RFP) for a solar power purchase agreement. The agreement will support multiple sites across the county, marking a significant step towards advancing clean energy solutions in the region.

The event was held at the East Columbia Library and brought together key dignitaries, including County Executive Calvin Ball, Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) Director Paul Pinsky, HCPSS Superintendent Bill Barnes, and HCC President Daria Willis. Tim Lattimer, Administrator of the Office of Community Sustainability, served as the event’s emcee. Today’s signed MOU creates a partnership between the County, HCPSS, and HCC to collaborate on diverse sustainability initiatives, from clean energy and transportation to emergency management and community education.

“This partnership is a testament to the power of collaboration in driving meaningful change,” said Kathy Magruder, Executive Director of MCEC. “In a time of evolving energy policies, it’s more important than ever for local governments and institutions to lead the way in clean energy. Howard County’s leadership sets a powerful example for the state.”

A solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) allows entities like Howard County, HCPSS, and HCC to achieve renewable energy and emissions reduction goals without upfront costs, where a solar company installs and maintains solar systems on their properties in exchange for a negotiated electricity rate, generating significant annual savings and revenue. Building on Howard County’s successful 2020 solar PPA, which installed 18 solar projects and now meets over half of the County government’s electricity needs, producing enough clean energy to power over 3,000 homes and eliminate the equivalent emissions of 4,563 cars annually, this new initiative aims to expand these benefits across the participating institutions, further reducing costs, cutting pollution, and advancing energy independence.

“Howard County has been a pioneer in energy innovation,” said County Executive Ball. “Our existing 2020 solar PPA will save the County about $30 million in electricity costs over the 25-year term of that agreement.”

Magruder added, “We are committed to working alongside leaders like Howard County to ensure that Maryland remains at the forefront of clean energy advancement. From large-scale solar projects to microgrids and electrification of public fleets, we will continue to support and facilitate the success of these transformative projects. Together, we are building a cleaner, more sustainable future for all Marylanders.”

MCEC’s support for the Howard County partnership includes:

• Developing procurement strategies for clean energy projects.

• Assisting with the evaluation of proposals and pricing for energy performance contracting.
• Implementing renewable energy technologies, such as solar and microgrids.

• Helping to identify financing options, including those offered by MCEC, for electrification, energy efficiency, and climate resiliency initiatives.

• Collaborating on electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, fleet electrification, and county facility energy audits.

This partnership between Howard County, HCPSS, HCC, and MCEC represents a major advancement towards a more sustainable and resilient future for Maryland and future projects throughout the state.

Maryland Clean Energy Center | https://www.mdcleanenergy.org/