Maryland District Completes 803-Kilowatt Solar Array

  • By Kevin Hudson
  • 04/08/13

Dorchester County Public Schools (DCPS) has completed an 803-kilowatt solar installation on the campus of Mace's Lane Middle School.

The installation, comprising 3,276 ground-mounted solar panels, was completed via collaboration between DCPS, Washington Gas Energy Systems, Kenyon Energy, and REC Solar.

"The completion of this project means that Mace's Lane Middle School will be powered by clean, renewable energy for the foreseeable future," said DCPS Superintendent of Schools Henry Wagner, Jr., in a release. "Beyond the environmental impact, it presents a unique learning opportunity for students throughout the school district to get a hands-on lesson in green power and innovation."

An expected annual 1,108 kilowatt-hours of energy from the installation will help power Mace's Lane Middle School and the output of the array is expected to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions equal to the planting of more than 35,000 pine trees or avoiding the use of 1.7 million gallons of gasoline over 20 years, according to a Washington Gas Energy Systems release.

"This solar array promises to reduce the school's carbon footprint and utility costs over the next two decades," said Sanjiv Mahan, vice president of business development for Washington Gas Energy Systems. "We were thrilled to work with Dorchester County Public Schools."

Kenyon Energy and REC Solar teamed up on design and installation aspects of the project, while Washington Gas Energy Systems will own and operate the array under a 20-year power purchasing agreement.

This solar energy project is part of a long-term effort by DCPS to enhance district sustainability, including use of geothermal technology in five of its facilities, single stream recycling at all district sites, cutting waste stream and hauling costs, use of domestically produced natural gas for heating where possible, and an energy management program that has saved the district more than $1 million in avoided energy costs, according to a release.

About the Author

Kevin Hudson is a freelance journalist based in Portland, Oregon. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • AI toolbox containing a wrench, document icon, gears, and a network symbol

    Common Sense Media Releases Free AI Toolkit, AI Readiness & Implementation Guides

    Common Sense Media has developed an AI Toolkit for School Districts, available to educators free of charge, that provides guidelines and resources for implementing AI in education.

  • elementary school building with children outside, overlaid by a glowing data network and transparent graphs

    Toward a Holistic Approach to Data-Informed Decision-Making in Education

    With increasing access to data and powerful analytic tools, the temptation to reduce educational outcomes to mere numbers is strong. However, educational leadership demands a more holistic and thoughtful approach.

  • three silhouetted education technology leaders with thought bubbles containing AI-related icons

    Ed Tech Leaders Rank Generative AI as Top Tech Priority

    In a recent CoSN survey, an overwhelming majority of ed tech leaders (94%) said they see AI as having a positive impact on education. Respondents ranked generative AI as their top tech priority, with 80% reporting their districts have gen AI initiatives underway, or plan to in the current school year.

  • AI-powered individual working calmly on one side and a burnt-out person slumped over a laptop on the other

    AI's Productivity Gains Come at a Cost

    A recent academic study found that as companies adopt AI tools, they're not just streamlining workflows — they're piling on new demands. Researchers determined that "AI technostress" is driving burnout and disrupting personal lives, even as organizations hail productivity gains.