Constellation Energy says its retail energy business affiliate has started construction on a 16.1 MW grid-connected photovoltaic installation in Emmitsburg, Md. Part of the state of Maryland's Generating Clean Horizons initiative, the approximately $60 million solar facility will be financed, owned and operated by Constellation Energy.
Electricity produced by the system will be purchased by the state of Maryland's Department of General Services and the University System of Maryland under 20-year solar power purchase agreements.
The system is scheduled for operation in early 2012 and is expected to produce more than 22 million kWh of energy annually, according to Constellation Energy's calculations. It will use approximately 220,000 thin-film PV panels from First Solar situated on 100 acres of land leased from Mount St. Mary's University. First Solar is also providing engineering, procurement and construction services for the project.