Solar Panels Shine a Light on Ellicott City School

Hailing it as a landmark event in state solar power achievement, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman cut the ribbon Tuesday morning on a system of solar panels that will be responsible for powering an elementary school.

“This is Maryland’s only solar-powered school,” Ulman told those gathered. “It’s an example of what we can do when we’re all working together.”

State and local officials, including Howard County School Superintendent Sydney Cousin, joined Ulman in celebrating the unveiling of the solar array landfill project during a ceremony at Worthington Elementary School.

Ulman essentially “flipped the switch" on the 2,000 solar panels recently installed on two acres of the county's landfill cap, which is situated on a plot of land behind the school.

According to officials, the energy produced by the panels will provide 90 percent of the power used by the school.

During the event, Chris Skaggs, executive director of the Northeast Maryland Waste Authority, Howard County’s partner in the project, said the project is the first of its kind on a landfill in Maryland.

Following Skaggs remarks, Howard County Councilor Courtney Watson said the project would put the school on the map.

“You guys are now solar ambassadors,” she told the school’s students.

As a part of the project, the subject of renewable energy is being worked into the school’s curriculum.

During the event, several students emceed the press conference.

Following the speeches, some students stuck around to answer questions about solar energy.

Ethan Wool-Lewis, a third grade student at the school, called the solar panels "really cool."

"This way we don't put our pollution into the air," Wool-Lewis said.  

According to a press release about the project, the initiative was funded through a $462,000 Project Sunburst Grant from the Maryland Energy Administration, which includes American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.

Accoding to Kevin Enright, Howard County’s officer of public affairs, the project was first discussed publicly in 2008.  Early supporters of the project included Sen. Benjamin Cardin, Rep. John Sarbanes and Gov. Martin O’Malley.

Following the event, Ulman lauded the completion of the project.

“For the last five years we’ve been working hard to instill the allure of environmental sustainability,” Ulman said. “This is a concrete example of our commitment.”

He said the project will help “spur investment” in the area. He added that the completion of the project represents potential similar investment in the future. 

“Hopefully we’ll have more coming,” Ulman said.