Standard Solar, Inc., last month dedicated the solar micro-grid storage system at Konterra Realty Corporation headquarters, in Laurel. The Rockville solar company developed, installed and will service the approximately $2 million system at the 128,000 square foot office building.
Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission chairman Jon Wellinghoff attended the dedication of what was announced as Maryland’s first commercial solar micro-grid system, and one of the first such systems in the country. The project received a $250,000 grant from the state.
Scott Wiater, Standard Solar president, says Konterra’s 402-kilowatt solar system is expected to reduce the building's electrical bill by about 20 percent. Ongoing maintenance may run about $4,000 per year, not including replacement of parts.
The power generated by the Konterra system is equivalent to the electricity used by about 57 American homes in one year.
The Konterra project includes over 1,300 ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) panels, the micro-grid storage system, LED parking lot lighting and two electric vehicle charging stations. Solar Grid Storage, a Silver Spring company, provided the micro-grid system. Standard Solar buys solar panels from different suppliers depending on the project.
The Konterra project was the second within a month completed by Standard Solar. In September, the company finished a $12.5 million solar project for Washington Gas.
The project involved installing ground-mounted solar systems at two of Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission’s waste water treatment plants. ”Washington Gas owns the system and will sell the electricity it generates,” says Wiater.
The privately-owned Standard Solar was founded in 2004. It works with residential and commercial clients, the latter including government and universities. Its projects included the installation of a rooftop and carport system at Catholic University, and a rooftop system on multiple buildings at American University.