The Solar Electric Power Association, an organization helping utilities integrate solar electric power into their energy portfolios, named the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative Electric Cooperative Utility of the Year, reports SoMd News.
The award was announced during SEPA’s Awards function at Solar Power International in Las Vegas.
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SMECO leveraged one of the advantages offered by solar when it chose to build solar within the co-op service area rather than purchase renewable credits from a distant resource, said, Julia Hamm, president, CEO, SEPA.
The co-op also gained valuable hands-on experience with a new resource, inspiring a commitment to continue to expand its investment in solar, added Hamm.
SMECO was honored with this 2014 award due to its leadership and commitment in meeting Maryland’s renewable energy targets with locally generated solar power.
It is a regulated, single distribution utility with 156,000 members.
It developed a 5.5 megawatt solar project on a land used for tobacco farming, financed with the help of a separate entity, able to take advantage of the federal income tax credits which was available in the form of a Treasury Department cash grant.
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This channel needed the co-op to gain special consents and waivers from the Maryland Public Service Commission.
A second, 10 MW project financed through a private PPA will go online in early 2015, ensuring SMECO can meet its state-mandated renewable goals through 2018.
Sabeena Wahid
[email protected]