Project launched to develop, build 20MW PV power plant on grounds around Maryland prison

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Plans are in the works to develop and build a 20MW solar PV power plant on property surrounding the Maryland Correctional Institution outside of Hagerstown. The project would be the largest commercial solar facility in the state.

Eaton-based Maryland Solar LLC said it expects to begin construction by the end of this year and commence commercial operation in late 2012. The project will cost approximately $70 million to construct and will employ around 125 workers in the course of a one-year buildout.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

At peak output, the project would produce enough electricity to power about 2,250 average homes. The solar farm will more than double the amount of solar power currently generated within Maryland.

In addition, Maryland Solar plans to incorporate Hagerstown Community College into the project plan, giving the solar farm a unique educational element. 

College President Guy Altieri and the company recently reached a written understanding to incorporate the development, construction, and operation of the project into the Alternative Energy Curriculum at HCC. This understanding, among other things, seeks to provide internships and/or job-shadowing opportunities to student, allow classes to visit the site during construction, and provide data connection and support to facilitate the creation of an offsite monitoring room in HCC's new Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) building where classes could monitor in real time energy generation reports from the solar farm.

Maryland Solar has also begun discussions with officials at the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to use prerelease inmates at MCI for routine maintenance efforts at the solar farm like grass maintenance and panel cleaning.

Read Next

October 8, 2025
US solar module prices jumped in Q3 2025 as developers scrambled to meet the 2 September 2025 safe harbour deadline for Investment Tax Credit (ITC) qualification, according to supply chain platform Anza.
October 8, 2025
Despite policy headwinds on the federal level, there is optimism for the future of the US solar and storage sector.
Premium
October 8, 2025
PV Talk: Smart Energy Council's Nigel Morris reflects on how Australia has become a global testbed for distributed solar and storage innovation.
October 8, 2025
Officials from Norway and Egypt have agreed provisional terms for the financing of the Dandara solar park in Egypt, which is being built and operated by Norwegian IPP Scatec.
October 8, 2025
University of Sydney scientists have created the largest and most efficient triple-junction perovskite-perovskite-silicon solar cell on record.
Premium
October 8, 2025
The global energy transition will only be 'marginally impacted' by uncertainties in US energy policy, according to Remi Eriksen, CEO of DNV.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK