Annapolis Could Reap $260K Annually With Energy Park Lease
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- A plan has been introduced to build a large solar energy facility on a closed Annapolis landfill, and by doing so put the city near the forefront of the green-energy movement.
A proposed land lease for the creation of Annapolis Renewable Energy Park was introduced at a city council meeting on June 22, The Capital reports.
Under terms of the 20-year lease, Annapolis would receive about $260,000 annually from Annapolis Solar Park LLC, owners of the 16.8-megawatt facility. The facility's electricity production is projected to offset 12.5 percent of the annual household electricity usage in Annapolis.
The facility would be the nation's largest solar energy project installed on a closed landfill. "It will bring revenue into the city and will turn a liability into an asset," Annapolis Mayor Mike Pantelides said.
The council must approve the lease before construction can start. If it is approved, the solar portion of the energy park could be open by the end of 2016. The 80-acre landfill is located near Interstate 97, Maryland Route 450 and Crownsville Road in Anne Arundel County.
Annapolis Solar Park LLC is jointly owned by two energy companies, including BQ Energy of Poughkeepsie, New York.
BQ Energy founder Paul Curran said it is rare to find such a large tract of land in eastern Maryland suitable for a solar farm. He said that's significant because of the population that can be served and the stress that a large solar facility could take off the existing electricity grid during peak hours on hot summer days.
(Copyright 2015 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
