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Solar in Maryland is Booming!

Solar in Maryland is Booming!

Maryland ranked number nine in the nation in terms of total installed capacity in 2012. We broke into the Top Ten, even though we are a small state. The previous year (2011) Maryland was 12th. In
2012, we more than doubled our installs from 2011 and put in 80 megawatts (MW) of capacity, passing up New Mexico, Pennsylvania and even Texas! Hard to believe.

And for distributed non-residential [commercial, but not utility scale], Marylandís own Mount St. Maryís University in Emmitsburg constructed a 16 MW installation, the second largest array in the nation, after Appleís North Carolina facility. The Mount St. Mary’s electricity is sold to the Maryland Department of General Services and the University of Maryland system.

Photo by: Constellation Energy Resources

Utility scale installations are much bigger than the commercial ones. The largest utility-scale installation was in Yuma, Arizon, 289 MW. Wow! Although that is impressive, I prefer somewhat smaller distributed arrays, so that you donít have to cover a corn field, or forest, with solar panels. Instead, keep them on the roof, or install PV as a shade canopy over the parking lot, somewhere where nature is already disturbed. Whatís driving all this solar? Federal loans, grants, renewable portfolio standards, lower costs and solar leases, such as those offered by many of our advertisers, now accounting for about 80% of all new systems. Go Solar!

Originally published, 2013 Maryland Solar Tour guide by Charlie Garlow
State Solar Listserves: A Resource for All Things Solar

State Solar Listserves: A Resource for All Things Solar

Interested in going solar but not sure where to start? Want to connect with other solar enthusiasts in your area? Then check out a solar network in your state!

 

Citizens in DC, MD, VA and WV have recently formed solar networks as part of an effort to build support for solar in their states. The networks, named DC SUN, VA SUN, MD SUN, and WV SUN, communicate via online listserves that are open to any individual or business interested in solar.

The listserves serve as a place for practical advice on how to go solar, as well as to keep track of local developments around solar. Members of the networks use their listserve to:

  • Ask questions about going solar and get help if they are are having problems with their system.
  • Connect with people who have already gone solar and share their experiences.
  • Follow new developments related to solar in the state.
  • Take action on solar policies and issues.
  • Get help starting their own solar initiatives to help grow solar in their state.

By keeping the discussion focused on solar, the listserves also appeal to a much broader base of participants that might not identify as ìenvironmentalists,î but who support their right to produce their
own power and are invested in their stateís solar future. This allows each network to help build a much larger group of grassroots solar supporters than if the discussion was focused on ìenvironmentalî
issues.

How do I join?

Visit http://bitly.com/statesolarnetworks to join your stateís solar network. Community Power Network, a national organization that supports community renewable energy initiatives, helps host the listserves and provides technical support to activists in each state. Join us!

Originally published, 2013 Maryland Solar Tour guide by Anya Schoolman
Campaign To Divest

Campaign To Divest

photo by Rainforest Action Network via flickr (CC)

In his June 25 climate address, President Obama stated: “Convince those in power to reduce our carbon pollution. Push your own communities to adopt smarter practices. Invest. Divest.” The Divest Montgomery County campaign aims to do that, and ultimately encourage installation of solar energy in the County and across the nation. The County’s Employee Retirement Fund’s investments total over $3.2B. Analysis of similar public employee pension funds suggest that over $100,000,000 may be in fossil fuel company holdings – i.e., corporations that develop oil, gas or coal. Our petition directs the County to end further fossil fuel investments in its pension fund and to sell off its existing holdings over 5 years.

photo by Natural Resources Defense via flickr (CC)

Divest Montgomery County is part of a national campaign led by noted environmentalist Bill McKibben (350.org), and includes campaigns involving over 100 local governments and 300 colleges. The 350.org campaign is inspired by the successful 1980s anti-apartheid movement to divest from corporations doing business in South Africa — which Nelson Mandela says was critical in ending apartheid. As the fossil industry loses its respectability, its ability to influence politicians will wane, we hope. 350.org’s Go Fossil Free campaign thus helps create the political space for legislation limiting carbon pollution and promoting solar PV and hot water and other clean, renewable energy sources and efficiency solutions. To learn more about the campaign contact Peter Murtha (pete.murtha@gmail.com) or Geoff Kidd (netgk@hotmail.com).

Originally published, 2013 Maryland Solar Tour guide by Peter Murtha