Massive Solar Project Completed at Howard County’s New Circuit Courthouse

April 2022

On April 12th, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, joined by state and local officials, turned on the first of 11 solar projects within Howard County’s Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

This project in partnership with CI Renewables will generate 1.1 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) a year, pushing the new Circuit Courthouse from LEED Silver to LEED Gold. It is one of a few in the PPA that is a dual array (ground and rooftop) and will have a pollinator garden grown under the ground array.

“CI Renewables is delighted to celebrate the commencement of operations of the Howard County Courthouse solar project, the first of 19 separate solar projects on 11 sites to supply Howard County with clean inexpensive solar power with no capital investment,” said Alan Epstein, CEO of CI Renewables. “These solar projects are a testament to the leadership and vision of County Executive Calvin Ball and the Howard County Office of Sustainability.”

The PPA is the largest of its kind in the state and will generate 44,000,000 kWh a year, enough to cover more than 75% of the County’s energy usage. The agreement allows the County to buy power off solar arrays developed on both County-owned land, such as the Circuit Courthouse, and private-owned land in Howard County.

“Our historic solar power purchasing agreement, which will power more than 75% of the County’s operations, put us on track to exceed our environmental and energy independence goals,” said Ball. “We’re investing in bold solutions, backed by science, to sustain Howard County’s resources and combat climate change. Now is our time, and now is our chance to make Howard County the leader in clean solar energy.”

The other project sites of the PPA include:

  • Triple Creek Farm
  • Clear View Farm
  • Rural Rhythm Farm
  • East Columbia Library rooftop & carport
  • Gateway Building rooftop & carport
  • Walnut Creek and Walnut Grove Septic Fields
  • 50+ Center in East Columbia
  • Waterloo Firehouse
  • Scaggsville Police Station
  • Detention Center

See photos from the event here.