As Marylanders across the state this week commemorated Earth Day, Governor Martin O’Malley and Howard County Executive Ken Ulman celebrated Earth Day and Green Jobs in Maryland, and joined Astrum Solar, a residential and small commercial solar panel systems installation company, to install solar panels on the roof of the home of Len and Michelle Ostroff of Clarksville, Md.
Governor O’Malley also announced that the State of Maryland will nearly triple the amount of solar energy produced in Maryland over the next 12 months, by funding solar installations on 32 government buildings through Project SunBurst.
“It is an honor to be here today with County Executive Ulman, Astrum Solar, and the Ostroff family to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and green jobs in Maryland,” said Governor O’Malley. “I am proud to announce that Maryland will nearly triple the amount of solar energy produced in the State, creating an estimated 100 jobs. Maryland continues to lead by example through clean energy programs and incentives for all sectors. Last month, Maryland led the nation in job creation, and we’re showing each day that environmental stewardship can help drive economic progress and create green jobs throughout our State. I want to encourage other Marylanders to take advantage of clean energy resources available to build a smart, green and growing future for our State.”
“I appreciate Governor O’Malley spending Earth Day here in Howard County,” said Howard County Executive Ken Ulman. “For the past three years Howard County government has made protecting the environment one of our main priorities; and offering tax credits to residents who install solar panels in their homes has been a core component of our sustainability plan. Today’s event highlights our partnership with both the state and our local business community.”
Leveraging federal stimulus funds, Project Sunburst will fund solar installations on 32 government buildings. The project, originally unveiled earlier this year, received a tremendous response from state, county and local governments. Administered by the Maryland Energy Administration, Project Sunburst will be able to fund 21 government entities installing major solar arrays on up to 32 buildings that, when completed, will have generating capacity of up to 10 MW. This would nearly triple the amount of solar currently on the grid in Maryland today and will create an estimated 100 new jobs over the course of this year.
Grants for Project SunBurst are being awarded to selected government entities at a rate of $1,000 per kilowatt (kW) on photovoltaic (PV) systems installed on public buildings. Award recipients under Project Sunburst range from public school systems throughout the State, to the Salisbury Fire Station, the City of Baltimore Convention Center, and the Maryland Port Authority Marine Terminal.
“We’re proud to join with Gov. O’Malley and County Executive Ulman in creating new jobs and economic opportunity within the state,” said Astrum Solar President Vadim Polikov, PhD. “The time to go solar is now. With every month that goes by, more and more Maryland homeowners learn about solar energy and immediately see the promise and opportunity it holds for them and their families.”
Astrum Solar is the fastest growing installer of residential and small commercial solar panel systems in the mid-Atlantic region serving Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington D.C.
The special Earth Day installation comes on the heels of Astrum Solar’s recent announcement that the company has doubled the size of its Annapolis Junction headquarters, both in office and warehouse space, to accommodate its rapid business expansion. The company also announced that it has hired 40 professionals in Maryland over the last year and will continue to aggressively recruit qualified candidates to join its growing team.
Interested public entities are encouraged to contact program manager Mike Hartley directly at mhartley@energy.state.md.usfor additional details.
Also See:
Earth Day 2010 in Baltimore and Harford: Plant a tree and save $10
Earth Day 2010: Microsoft`s top ten tips for going green
Earth Day: The Princeton Review’s Guide to 286 Green Colleges (free download)
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(source: maryland.gov / cover image: flickr)
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