Alternative Energy Sources / Greening

The Columbia Association has selected Standard Solar to provide options for the installation of a sizable array of solar panels through a negotiated Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). A PPA allows organizations such as the Columbia Association to take advantage of Federal grants for solar installations by entering into contracts with commercial enterprises. Under the terms of a PPA there would be no up front capital costs but CA would enter into a long term agreement to buy the electricity generated from the solar panels at an agreed upon rate for a 20 year period. In essence, CA would trade up front capitalization costs for a long term contract to buy solar energy at an agreed upon rate from a commercial enterprise. The commercial enterprise finances the cost of the solar panels through available federal grants and the income stream generated by the production of electricity. As a non-profit organization CA cannot take advantage of the federal grants and PPA's that were created exactly for organizations like CA.

CA and Standard Solar have looked into a variety of solar panel options including ground mounted arrays, parking lot structures and roof-top systems. Just recently, CA and Standard Solar have concluded that roof-top arrays provide the best opportunity for successful PPA. Within the next 60 days CA hopes to bring forward a PPA that will provide renewable energy, reduces greenhouse emissions and lowers the cost of electricity to the Columbia Association.

The HVAC system at Fairway Hills Golf Course is a geo-thermal system, the first alternative energy conversion on CA property.

CA is also working with vendors of solar energy to develop solar arrays using CA building rooftops, open space fields and the space above the parking lots at CA facilities. Power generated by the solar arrays would go to reducing the amount of power needed to run CA buildings. As soon as approval is given, CA will also start construction on a solar array to serve the River Hill Swimming Pool.

CA is also working with the financial community and local government to initiate the “Here Comes the Sun” program where property owners in Columbia can purchase solar power for their properties. If available, those choosing to install solar panels could also be eligible for tax credits from the State of Maryland and possibly from the federal government.

Primary Focus Points:

• Retrofitting CA owned buildings with alternative energy
• Assisting property owners to install solar panels on properties funded by the private finance community
• Continue to explore ways to reduce CA’s carbon footprint by using remote open space for the production of energy