One of Chaberton Energy’s completed community solar projects.
Chaberton Energy announced construction has started on a new 2.9-MWDC community solar project located in Fulton, Maryland. The Lime Kiln solar project was developed by Chaberton and is owned and operated by Pivot Energy.
The Lime Kiln community solar project will be part of the Maryland Community Solar program, enabling area residents and businesses to subscribe to it. When completed, it will provide lower-cost electricity to residents across all incomes who want to gain access to clean energy but may not be able to install solar panels on their own property.
“The Lime Kiln solar project will bring additional clean energy to our community and offer Howard County residents greater access to lower electric bills,” said Howard County Executive Dr. Calvin B. Ball. “The project also helps to advance our Howard County Climate Forward plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2045. We are delighted to have this new solar array in our community as we continue to lead on energy independence.”
There were many steps and significant cross-collaboration with county and state officials to get the project approved so it can be built to provide clean energy, support the community and add to the biodiversity of the area.
“This is another big win for clean energy and for equitable access to renewable energy in our home state of Maryland,” said Mike Doniger, Chaberton co-founder and chief operating officer. “This is a great example of how community solar can work for local residents, and I can’t wait to see this project power up.”
Project Lime Kiln is expected to be operational in the first half of 2025.
Chaberton and Pivot, which have collaborated on other projects in Howard County, also have made contributions to community charitable organizations such as Brightminds, the Community Ecology Institute and POWER52.
The Lime Kiln project will use 15 acres on a 57-acre tract of land and will include local pollinators such as:
Milkweed, a Monarch butterfly favorite;
Black-eyed Susans, the Maryland state flower; and
Asters and mountain mint, to name just a few.
These carefully selected native plants will attract insects, butterflies and birds, helping support the surrounding area’s biodiversity and agriculture.
News item from Chaberton Energy