Harford County’s four community solar projects are moving through the development process, with two — Aberdeen Solar and Magnolia Solar — receiving site plan approval from the county over the summer.

Representatives for the two other projects — Churchville Solar and the Miller Chemical 2 MW AC Solar Project — have met with the Development Advisory Committee; Churchville on May 15 and Miller in November. The committee requested new site plans from both projects, and according to county officials, neither has submitted new plans.

Portions of Harford County farmland are being dedicated to community solar energy generating systems that officials say can provide a cost-effective alternative to wholesale electricity and allow property owners to earn money from the land. The systems were part of a seven-year state pilot program that was made permanent on July 1, 2023, when a new state law took effect.

The law states that property owners — not electric companies — can build community solar energy generating systems on their property as long as the property is simultaneously being used for solar power and a farming activity recognized by the Department of Agriculture as agricultural.

In Harford County, there are four Community Solar projects:

Aberdeen Solar — 18.63-acre project on a 213-acre property south of Interstate 95 and Hiob Lane
Churchville Solar — 11-acre project on a 54.55-acre property south of Churchville Road and east of Calvary Road
Magnolia Road Solar Panel Farm — 22.30-acre project east side of Magnolia Road and south of Trimble Road
Miller Chemical 2 MW AC Solar Project — 9-acre project on a 34-acre property on the northwest side of Whiteford Road and southeast side of Pylesville Road

Community solar systems cannot exceed 5 megawatts and at least 40% of the energy output must serve low- to moderate-income subscribers, per the legislation.

Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. customers can participate in community solar by purchasing energy from the project owner. Once consumers subscribe  they will receive a credit on their BGE . bills for the amount of solar energy they use.

Delmarva Power, Potomac Edison Company and Potomac Electric Power Company have similar community solar programs.

Each system is connected to the electrical distribution grid serving the state. Electric companies then use the energy generated to offset purchases from wholesale electricity suppliers — providing income to the project property owners and allowing energy providers to reduce consumer costs.

All systems are located in the same service territory as their subscribers and subscribers are billed for their energy usage as they normally would be by a utility.

The community solar pilot program that started in 2015 capped energy produced by the projects at about 418 megawatts  statewide. House Bill 908, which passed last year and made the state’s pilot solar program permanent, removed the cap and allowed for unlimited statewide community solar energy generation.

According to the Institute for Local Self Reliance, a nonprofit that provides technical assistance to communities about local solutions for sustainable community development, Maryland has 117 megawatts of community solar projects in operation.

Once the four projects in Harford County are operational, 8 megawatts of energy will be generated by community solar projects in the county

Solar projects in the state have been a topic of controversy with projects in Carroll County receiving pushback from local leaders and residents. In July 2023, Carroll County commissioners adopted an ordinance that prohibits solar generating facilities on farmland. The ordinance allows for the construction of solar facilities on land zoned for commercial and industrial use.

Maryland is one of 19 states along with Washington, D.C., to allow community solar projects. Currently, New York leads the country in community solar with 1,941 megawatts in operation.

Got a news tip? Contact Matt Hubbard at mhubbard@baltsun.com, 443-651-0101 and @mthubb on X.