As a Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) Project Sunburst Partner, SMCPS received a grant from MEA specifically designed for the development of solar electric projects on public buildings in Maryland. The array will be installed by Standard Solar and jointly developed, owned and operated with Perpetual.

The initial installation will consist of a 503 kW system on the George Washington Carver Elementary School in Great Mills, MD. This system will consist of more than 2200 ARRA compliant solar panels.

Once completed, the elementary school's system is expected to generate approximately 677,000 kilowatt hours of electricity in its first year of operations, representing 80 percent of the school's energy needs. The amount of clean energy the system will produce in its first year is equivalent to taking 105.5 cars off the road each year.

Dr. Michael J. Martirano, superintendent of schools, said, "Project Sunburst is a very important project to St. Mary's County Public Schools, not only in the cost savings that we will recognize but it is a key component in our green school initiative where we are able to provide educational opportunities to our students, staff, and community which promote the use of our sustainable resources. This has truly been a collaborative effort and I applaud the Maryland Energy Administration, Standard Solar, Incorporated, Perpetual Energy Systems, LLC, Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, and the staff of St. Mary's County Public Schools for their work on this project."

In an effort to renew their commitment to environmental sustainability and energy conservation, SMCPS entered into a 15 year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Perpetual Standard Solar, enabling SMCPS to host the solar installations without any capital outlay.

The PPA will provide SMCPS a projected 30 percent offset of their current electricity consumption. Perpetual Standard Solar partnered with Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative Inc. (SMECO) to purchase the solar renewable energy credits (SRECS), contributing to the project's financing.

"As more and more solar projects are developed, SMECO customer-members will benefit from locally produced power that helps the Co-op meet its goal of investing in renewable energy. These types of projects fit with our portfolio of environmentally friendly energy products, and they provide alternatives to traditional energy supply," said Sonja Cox, SMECO's CFO and Senior Vice President of Financial, Economic, and Employee Services.

"We are enthusiastic about working with St. Mary's County Public Schools and Standard Solar on the George Washington Carver Elementary School project, which is the largest solar project on the Co-op's system to date."

In addition to significant energy cost savings, SMCPS will add a solar focused renewable energy program to its science curriculum. The central lobby of George Washington Carver Elementary School system will feature a state-of-the-art, secure, web-based monitoring system allowing students, faculty and visitors to view the daily, weekly and annual solar electricity generated.

"Perpetual is pleased once again to partner with Standard Solar in its effort to provide viable solar energy solutions to host clients such as SMCPS," said Michael Streams, SVP of Business Development for Perpetual, "as a source of comprehensive project financing, requiring no upfront capital outlay by the host."

"With the signing of this Power Purchase Agreement, Perpetual Standard Solar and St. Mary's County Public Schools have forged a true partnership focused on stabilized energy costs and educational opportunities for students," said Tony Clifford, CEO of Standard Solar.

"The Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative is playing a crucial role in financing the project by agreeing to acquire the environmental attributes associated with the project. In addition, Solar Tech of Hollywood, MD, a St. Mary's County business, will team with Standard Solar on the installation of the system. The result is a local project supporting local companies and enriching the local community."

The SMCPS project is the first system installed by Standard Solar that is part of MEA's Project Sunburst. MEA received significant funding through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) to promote clean, affordable and reliable energy.

As part of this initiative, MEA has set aside a significant portion of this funding to promote the installation of renewable energy systems on public buildings in Maryland through Project Sunburst.

In order to maximize available incentives and limit upfront costs, Project Sunburst Partners will host renewable energy systems and contract for the electricity generated through power purchase agreements. SMCPS was one of 21 recipients statewide to receive the Project Sunburst grant.

SMCPS will host a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the installation on Monday, December 13, 2010 at 9:00 AM at the George Washington Carver Elementary School. Members of the press are invited to attend.

Together, Standard Solar and Perpetual provide a complete turnkey solution to academic, government, commercial, and utility clients interested in benefitting from renewable energy without having to outlay the large amount of capital required to design, engineer, construct, maintain and operate commercial-scale solar systems.

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