New 13 megawatt solar power system installed for Johns Hopkins Medicine in the U.S. will feature more than 40,000 solar panels, and will supply nearly 20 percent of Johns Hopkins power
Direct Energy is to help deliver a new solar project that will produce affordable and reliable solar energy to power the Johns Hopkins Medicine facilities in Baltimore, United States. The 13.6 megawatt solar installation will feature more than 40,000 solar panels across a 97-acre plot of land in Maryland and is expected to offset about 18 percent of the total energy used by the healthcare enterprise.
Installed and maintained by SolarCity with financing and management by Direct Energy Business, the solar power system will deliver the energy generated to Johns Hopkins for less than their current electricity rate, and provide a long term hedge against the rising costs of purchasing power.
Johns Hopkins chose a remote solar arrangement made possible through the cooperation of PJM Interconnection, the regional transmission organisation that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity. Direct Energy already works directly with PJM on behalf of Johns Hopkins to schedule and procure wholesale energy, and will now secure an equivalent amount of energy as is generated by the new solar system at a low, predictable rate.
John Schultz, President of Direct Energy Business said “as a total energy management service provider, we are able to offer an energy solution that helps Johns Hopkins meet its procurement needs while also hedging against future rate increases.”
The solar system is expected to avoid the emission of 1.4 million metric tons of CO2 into the atmosphere over the next 20 years, which is equivalent to removing more than 313,000 cars from U.S. roads for one year. In two decades, the system will also produce energy equivalent to powering more than 180,000 homes for a year.*
Jesse Jones, SolarCity’s vice president of development and acquisitions said “Johns Hopkins’ solar project is not only a huge endorsement for clean energy, but also an incredible business decision that will help them save on energy costs for years.
“Solar power is one of the simplest and most affordable sources of energy. Even if roof space is limited, remote solar solutions can help organizations like Johns Hopkins experience all of solar’s benefits.”
The project is expected to be completed and operational within the first half of 2016 and will serve the Johns Hopkins East Baltimore Campus.
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Jessica Michan