Client: Maryland Port Administration
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
EA developed a Solar Power Acquisition Guide for the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Maryland Port Administration (MPA). The document compiled solar power market information and terminology, technology information, case studies, contractual pathways, and resources for use when purchasing solar power or planning on-site solar power projects.
MPA has a long history of proactive reduction of environmental impacts from its operations, both with respect to its immediate local neighbors and as an element of the global supply chain. This has included reducing diesel emissions associated with port operations by obtaining grant funding for diesel engine retrofits under the Diesel Emission Reduction Act, reducing its Scope 2 Greenhouse Gas emissions through acquisition of renewal energy, and participation in an MDOT interagency air pollution reduction working group.
The guide focused solely on solar photovoltaic energy and did not address wind or other forms of renewable energy. It provided a background discussion on the technological, contractual, and financial aspects associated with acquiring solar energy under several options:
- On-site generation by either an MPA-owned system, with the option of sale to the grid under net metering, or by a leased system under a Solar Power Purchase Agreement
- Participation in a community solar project
- Purchase of renewable energy directly from a utility
- Acquisition of the renewable energy attributes by purchasing Solar Renewable Energy Certificates Maryland Port Administration Solar Energy Acquisition Guide.
The Solar Power Acquisition Guide also evaluated various solar energy technologies and initiatives such as community-shared solar, ground-mounted and rooftop-mounted solar systems, and solar carports. A specific case study was evaluated involving the MPA Access Control Center (Visitors Center). Appendixes to the guide included a glossary of solar power terms, a model Request for Proposal for a Solar Power Purchase Agreement for the MPA Access Control Center, various solar power case studies, information about participating in Community Shared Solar power, and a list of available financial incentives for procuring solar power. The guide provided MPA with an important decision-making tool for diversifying and “greening” its energy supply portfolio.
