ABM Installs 1.2-MW Solar Array in Baltimore

ABM, a leading provider of facility solutions, announced today that ABM’s energy business has successfully commissioned a 1.2-MW solar array in Baltimore, Md., representing one of the largest solar installations to date in the Baltimore metropolitan area. Washington Gas Energy Systems, a subsidiary of WGL Holdings, owns the system, and land owner Glen Meadows Retirement Community, a subsidiary of Presbyterian Senior Living, will reap the benefits of lower, fixed-rate energy costs. ABM provided the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of the solar array on behalf of Washington Gas Energy Systems and Sol Systems, which provided the solar financing for the project.

In addition to being responsible for construction, ABM will also maintain the 4,150 panel array on behalf of Washington Gas Energy Systems under a long-term contract, providing the senior living facility with fixed, low-cost energy rates over the life of the 20-year agreement, allowing Presbyterian Senior Living to save money as utility costs are expected to rise in the coming years. The system is expected to generate just over 1.5 million kilowatt hours (kWh) per year. Construction began in August and was finalized in October.

“ABM is excited to have completed the first of many utility-scale solar development projects to come,” said Ted O’Shea, ABM energy business vice president. “We’ve made significant investments to increase our expertise in the development of renewable energy as a solution to reduce owning and operating costs and increase energy efficiency for our clients. We look forward to continuing to help other organizations obtain fixed-cost energy pricing while generating revenue for their facilities through our renewable energy solutions.”

The multi-year, multi-million dollar contract represents the first project completed through ABM’s recent joint venture with Building Energy, an Italian-based independent power producer, which added further expertise to ABM’s renewables team. ABM and Building Energy have collectively installed over 250 MWs through solar engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts, completed over $1B in energy projects, and currently operate and maintain over 200 MWs of solar facilities across five countries.

“Our joint venture with ABM delivered a high quality solar plant within a short timeframe, ensuring Washington Gas Energy Systems’ standards were met across the project’s execution,” said Andrea Braccialarghe, Building Energy’s managing director, America. “Building Energy’s solar power plant experience worldwide creates tremendous value for our joint venture’s U.S. clients through well-built systems that maximize clean, renewable solar power.”

— Solar Builder magazine

[source: http://www.solarbuildermag.com/news/abm-installs-1-2-mw-solar-array-baltimore/]