Jul 09, 2025

New Community Solar Power Plant Powers Up in Baltimore-Washington Region

Maryland's Howard County community celebrated a ribbon cutting ceremony to recognize the energization of a new 3.2 megawatt (MWdc) community solar project in Fulton. The Lime Kiln project was developed by Chaberton Energy, a leading Maryland-based renewable energy developer, and is owned and operated by Pivot Energy, a national, Colorado-based renewable energy provider and independent power producer.

Celebrating the powering up of new community solar in Howard County, Md., are (left to right) Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO, Solar Energy Industries Association; Richard Gilker, senior vice president of technical operations, Pivot Energy; Stefano Ratti, CEO, Chaberton Energy; Erica Brinker, chief commercial and sustainability officer, Chaberton Energy; and Howard County Executive Calvin Ball.

Celebrating the powering up of new community solar in Howard County, Md., are (left to right) Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO, Solar Energy Industries Association; Richard Gilker, senior vice president of technical operations, Pivot Energy; Stefano Ratti, CEO, Chaberton Energy; Erica Brinker, chief commercial and sustainability officer, Chaberton Energy; and Howard County Executive Calvin Ball.

Chaberton Energy and Pivot Energy partnered to develop a new 3.2 MWdc community solar farm in Fulton, Md., that provides enough renewable energy to power the equivalent of up to 500 Maryland homes and businesses.

Chaberton Energy and Pivot Energy partnered to develop a new 3.2 MWdc community solar farm in Fulton, Md., that provides enough renewable energy to power the equivalent of up to 500 Maryland homes and businesses.

Chaberton Energy donated $10,000 to the Bright Minds Foundation, Howard County Public Schools’ education foundation, to establish a STEM scholarship for graduating seniors. From left to right: Erica Brinker, chief commercial and sustainability officer, Chaberton Energy; Jennifer Van Kirk, executive director, Bright Minds Foundation; Ellen Johnson, assistant principal, Reservoir High School; Stefano Ratti, CEO, Chaberton Energy; Amee Bearne, development manager, Chaberton Energy.

Chaberton Energy donated $10,000 to the Bright Minds Foundation, Howard County Public Schools’ education foundation, to establish a STEM scholarship for graduating seniors. From left to right: Erica Brinker, chief commercial and sustainability officer, Chaberton Energy; Jennifer Van Kirk, executive director, Bright Minds Foundation; Ellen Johnson, assistant principal, Reservoir High School; Stefano Ratti, CEO, Chaberton Energy; Amee Bearne, development manager, Chaberton Energy.

Howard County, Md., has a new community solar farm supplying enough renewable energy to power the equivalent of up to 500 Maryland homes and businesses.

Howard County, Md., has a new community solar farm supplying enough renewable energy to power the equivalent of up to 500 Maryland homes and businesses.

Local Howard County leaders, members of the community and partners in the development and construction of the project attended the ribbon cutting. Also, during the event, Chaberton Energy, through Chaberton Cares, presented the Bright Minds Foundation, Howard County Public Schools' education foundation, with a $10,000 check to fund a STEM scholarship for graduating seniors the next five years.

"We are so proud to bring new renewable energy generation to Maryland and Howard County," said Stefano Ratti, founder and CEO of Chaberton Energy. "With growing energy demand and rising electric bills, projects like Lime Kiln help ease pressure on the power grid and save families money."

The project is part of the Maryland Community Solar program and is fully subscribed. Community solar enables area residents and businesses to gain access to lower-cost, renewable energy generated locally. Subscribers to Lime Kiln will save an average of 10% off their electricity bill each year.

"Renewable energy projects like this one are critical to the continued success of Howard County," said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, who spoke during the ceremony. "Solar is bringing locally generated energy to our community, while helping meet Maryland'sambitious goal of reaching 100% renewable energy by 2035."

This project also incorporates agrivoltaics, which is the practice of combining solar energy generation with agricultural activity on the same land.

"Lime Kiln will support sheep grazing, native pollinator planting, and other efforts to ensure the long-term productivity of this land," said Richard Gilker, Senior Vice President, Technical Operations, Pivot Energy. "We are bringing real benefits to the Howard Countycommunity."

The Lime Kiln project will use 15 acres on a 57-acre tract of land and include local pollinators such as:

  • Milkweed, a Monarch butterfly favorite
  • Black-eyed Susans, the Maryland state flower
  • Asters and mountain mint

These carefully selected native plants will attract insects, butterflies and birds, helping support the surrounding area's biodiversity and agriculture.

Chaberton has more than 200 MWdc of community solar projects in Maryland in operation, construction or active development. Pivot and Chaberton have partnered on approximately 40 MWac of solar projects in the U.S.

Lime Kiln is one of two Pivot / Chaberton projects expected to be energized in Maryland this summer. Project Greyrock, a 3.3 MWdc solar project in Wicomico County, will start providing electricity to local residents in the near future.

Chaberton Energy | https://www.chaberton.com/

Pivot Energy | https://www.pivotenergy.net/