Green or renewable energy includes:
Wind
Solar
Hydroelectric power
Tidal
Wave
Biomass Sources
These sources of energy are not depleted when used; they can be replenished. Green energy is not derived from fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas, or propane; these fuels are depleted when used.
Maryland customers may install solar or wind energy at their home or business. These installations are regulated by the Maryland Public Service Commission. This is because your system must safely “interconnect” with your electric company’s distribution system. The interconnection application process is the same for all Maryland customers.
Customers who produce more energy than they use may have a “net meter” installed so they can receive credits on their electric bills. Most homeowners who have a net meter use solar panels that generate less than 15 kilowatts.
Rider G – Green Energy Option
SMECO customers who want a 100% renewable energy option may enroll in SMECO’s Rider G. SMECO will purchase renewable energy credits to cover the total amount of energy used by the members who sign up.
Electric Vehicles
Making the switch to an electric vehicle can help you save money while going green. You can find some things to consider before buying one on our Electric Vehicles page.
SMECO Solar
SMECO has a solar farm, located in Hughesville, which has been generating electricity since November 2012. You can see how much energy the solar farm has produced. Check out our SMECO Solar website.
Buying Solar Energy
Purchasing solar energy is one way SMECO works to fulfill its renewable portfolio obligation, as required by the state, at the lowest cost to its members.
SMECO has an agreement to purchase power from an affiliate of REV Renewables. REV Renewables operates the 10-megawatt (MW) Rockfish Solar facility located in Waldorf. The facility began generating electricity in June 2015. The Co-op will purchase all generated energy, capacity, and solar renewable energy credits for 20 years.
The 80-acre solar photovoltaic facility employs single axis tracking technology with approximately 41,000 modules of solar panels. The project generates roughly 21,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) each year, which is enough to power about 1,300 homes annually.
An average SMECO household uses 1,300 kilowatt-hours (kWh) a month and 15,600 kWh per year.
Solar Panels at Home
Are you interested in having solar panels installed at your home?
- SMECO customer-members who want to generate their own electricity can participate in the Co-op’s net metering program.
- Federal and state incentives may be available – Visit our Solar Incentives page for more information.
Is Solar Right for You?
Enter an address on our WattPlan website and WattPlan will estimate your potential for a rooftop solar array. You will get an estimate of the electricity you can generate and how much you might save each year on your electric bill.
The figures shown in WattPlan are estimates only and do not constitute a guarantee of savings on your electric bill
SMECO’s Solar Power Seminar Video
Visit our YouTube video on solar panels for tips on installing solar power at your home
Safety Around Solar Panels
Like any other source of electricity, solar panels can pose a hazard – Be aware of the risks
Visit our Solar Panel Safety page to learn how to respond in case of an emergency
Wind Energy
Wind power is an important part of SMECO’s renewable energy strategy.
If you’re interested in wind energy, the net metering requirements also apply
We buy a portion of the power generated by three wind farms in Pennsylvania and one in Ohio.
- Mehoopany Wind Farm, the largest wind project in Pennsylvania, uses 88 turbines that stand on 9,000 acres near Scranton
- The other two facilities are both in Somerset County, the Stony Creek and Lookout wind farms
- Together, the three farms have a possible generating capacity of more than 230 megawatts (MW)
- EDP Renewables operates Hog Creek Wind Project in northwestern Ohio
- The project, which came online in 2018, generates 66 MW of renewable energy
- SMECO will purchase the farm’s output for 20 years
Sustainability
- SMECO’s Sustainability Position Paper (PDF) lists our goals and accomplishments for environmental leadership and tracks our progress in conserving energy and purchasing power from renewable sources
- Current legislation sets the renewable energy goal for utilities at 25% by 2020 and, of that, 2.5% must be solar
- Visit our Sustainability page for more information
