McCormick DC to generate solar power
The increasing popularity of large warehouse roofs as platforms for solar energy production was dramatized by Constellation Energy's announcement last week that it will develop a 1.8-megawatt solar voltaic system on McCormick & Co.'s distribution center in Belcamp, Md.
The project will be the largest single rooftop solar installation in Maryland and the second developed for the spice maker by Constellation Energy. In late 2008, the two companies began operating a 1-megawatt solar system at McCormick's spice mill in Hunt Valley, Md.
The new project should be completed by the end of the year, Constellation said.
Constellation Energy will finance the project, including design and construction of the installation, and then own and maintain the solar power system for a period of 20 years. McCormick purchases energy produced by the solar installations hosted at its facilities. The energy deal means no upfront costs for McCormick and provides it with firm power costs over a long term. Constellation Energy said it expects McCormick to save an estimated $3.4 million in electricity costs over the term of the agreement.
The solar system on the 363,000-square-foot roof will generate power equivalent to the amount of electricity used by 195 homes in a year and eliminate 1,600 metric tons of carbon dioxide, as well as emissions equivalent to more than 300 passenger vehicles per year.
Maryland has committed to using more solar power, including requiring utilities to buy more energy from solar resources. Project Sunburst is using federal stimulus money and state funds to install solar arrays on up to 32 government buildings, including the Maryland Port Authority's marine terminal.
