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's ambitious 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 County community."
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.
About Chaberton Energy
Headquartered in Maryland, Chaberton Energy is a public benefit corporation developing renewable distributed energy projects, with a particular emphasis on community solar, solar for businesses and storage. Chaberton was named to the 2024 Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies and ranks as the No. 1 fastest-growing community solar company, the No. 2 fastest-growing Maryland company, and the No. 34 fastest-growing company overall.
Chaberton Media Contact
Lia Morrison
412.573.9095
[email protected]
About Pivot Energy
Pivot Energy is a renewable energy provider and independent power producer that develops, finances, builds, owns, and manages solar and energy storage projects. Pivot leverages its renewable expertise to provide a range of unique offerings that accelerate the clean energy transition by helping companies and communities attain impactful decarbonization. Pivot is a US-based Certified B-Corporation that proudly follows a corporate strategy aimed at providing a positive impact on society as measured by Environmental stewardship, Social leadership, and responsible Governance factors. Pivot Energy is an ECP portfolio company. Learn more at pivotenergy.net.
Pivot Media Contact
Marci Grossman
847.257.5649
[email protected]
SOURCE Chaberton Energy
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