Standard Solar, a U.S.-based commercial and community solar developer, has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with a major healthcare system in Maryland, the company said on Tuesday. The agreement will allow the healthcare provider to access renewable energy without upfront costs or development responsibilities.
The operational 13.7-megawatt Costen Solar Farm, owned and managed by Standard Solar, is expected to deliver around 19,700 megawatt-hours of locally generated electricity in its first year. The project aligns with the healthcare system’s sustainability goals and contributes to Maryland’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard.
“Healthcare systems are among the most energy-intensive institutions in our communities, and projects like this show how PPAs can help them decarbonize without financial or operational risk,” said Mike Streams, Chief Development Officer at Standard Solar. He added that such agreements enable large energy users to reduce emissions while focusing resources on core operations like patient care.
Hospitals and healthcare facilities typically have high energy demands due to their 24/7 operations, powering lighting, heating, cooling, and medical equipment. In the United States, hospitals contribute roughly 8.5% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, with average energy usage per square foot exceeding that of other commercial buildings.
John Finnerty, Director of Business Development at Standard Solar, said the Costen Solar Farm demonstrates how large energy consumers can efficiently integrate clean energy into their operations. He noted that the project was facilitated through collaboration with Choptank Electric Cooperative and PJM, the regional transmission organization.
