By Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun
A fifth community solar project has entered Harford County’s development pipeline and is set to add nearly 40 acres to the roughly 61 acres already dedicated to community solar generating systems in Harford County.
Per state law, these systems allow property owners to build solar power systems on their land as long as the property is simultaneously being used for farming activity recognized by the Department of Agriculture.
The Bonneville Solar Project is the latest to be introduced to Harford County and aims to build a 5-megawatt system on 36.8 acres of a 206.41-acre parcel in Jarrettsville near Jarrettsville and Federal Hill roads.
Plans were introduced in this month and will go before the county’s Development Advisory Committee on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in the Harford County Administration Building at 220 S. Main St. in Bel Air. The public is invited to attend to learn more about the project and ask developers questions.
Harford County allowed community solar projects in 2021, when a bill passed the County Council unanimously. The legislation allowed community solar projects on land zoned for residences or business — not agriculture.
A workgroup was created by Harford County to assist in the implementation of solar projects on the county’s agricultural land, but in 2023, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation turning a seven-year community solar pilot program that allows solar panels on farms into a permanent program.
The 2015 community solar pilot program capped energy produced by the projects at about 418 megawatts statewide. The 2023 legislation removed the cap and allowed for unlimited statewide community solar energy generation.
Once all five of Harford’s community solar projects are complete, the county will be generating 13 megawatts of community solar energy.
Per state law, community solar systems cannot exceed 5 megawatts each, and at least 40% of the energy output must serve low- to moderate-income subscribers.
Harford’s projects include:
- Aberdeen Solar: 18.63-acre project on a 213-acre property south of Interstate 95 and Hiob Lane. This project has received site plan approval.
- Churchville Solar: 11-acre project on a 54.55-acre property south of Churchville Road and east of Calvary Road. New site plans are pending.
- Magnolia Road Solar Panel Farm: 22.30-acre project on the east side of Magnolia Road and south of Trimble Road. This project has received site plan approval.
- Miller Chemical 2 MW AC Solar Project: 9-acre project on a 34-acre property on the northwest side of Whiteford Road and southeast side of Pylesville Road. New site plans are pending.
Each system is connected to the state’s electrical distribution grid. Electric companies then use the energy generated to offset purchases from wholesale electricity suppliers — providing income to the property owners and allowing energy providers to reduce consumer costs.
Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. customers can participate in community solar by purchasing energy from the project owner. Once consumers subscribe, they will receive a credit on their BGE bills for the amount of solar energy they use.
Maryland is one of 19 states along with Washington, D.C., to allow community solar projects. Currently, New York leads the country in community solar with 1,941 megawatts in operation.
Solar projects in the state have been a topic of controversy with projects in Carroll County receiving pushback from local leaders and residents. In 2023, Carroll County commissioners adopted an ordinance that prohibits solar generating facilities on farmland. The ordinance allows for the construction of solar facilities on land zoned for commercial and industrial use.
To combat solar projects, Harford County preserved over 1,100 acres of agricultural land in November through the county’s agricultural preservation program.
Aiming to preserve 75,000 acres by 2040, the program allows the county to pay property owners for their land. All development rights of the property are then eliminated to ensure the can only be used for agricultural purposes.
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