| SYSTEM SIZE 41.19 kW (107 solar panels) |
INSTALLATION TYPE Roof Mount |
| INSTALLATION DATE Winter 2019 |
LOCATION Brookeville, MD |
ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL OFFSET
35 tons of CO2, or 74 barrels of oil
Community Services for Autistic Adults & Children (CSAAC), a Maryland nonprofit organization, activated a 41.195 kW solar system at the Community School of Maryland. The system represents Phase 1 of CSAAC’s larger plan, which will increase the organization’s renewable energy portfolio. This includes Phase 2, which will cover CSAAC’s headquarters and a number of residential group homes operated by CSAAC.
The 107-panel project is comprised of a roof-mounted system and two electric vehicle charging stations. The new arrays are estimated to generate 45,069 kWh of clean, sustainable electricity in just the first year. This translates to an annual savings of over $5,000, and a total savings of $200,000 over the system’s expected lifespan.
CSAAC was attracted to solar energy for its ability to decrease overhead costs. “I need to think outside the box and come up with sustainable solutions to ensure CSAAC is ahead of the curve with technology and in a position to lessen the dollars spent for its operation while maintaining sustainability,” shares Craig Pardini, CSAAC’s Director of Infrastructure Operations. “I always had the idea of moving CSAAC to solar once it started to become more affordable.”
In less than 12 years, Phase 1 will have contributed enough electricity savings to pay for itself, leaving years worth of saved energy expenses.
Craig Pardini and CSAAC have big plans for these savings. CSAAC can invest the savings to advance their services in areas such as residential, vocational, intensive early intervention, and educational services for children and adults with autism. It will allow CSAAC to offset dollars spent on energy to go towards other areas of the organization and support their mission of “enhancing the lives of individuals with autism.”
Additionally, the nonprofit organization praises the system for its positive environmental impact. “I also like to have good stewardship for the environment and to ensure CSAAC does its part to thrive.” In the first year, the solar system will have offset 35 tons of carbon dioxide, 816 trees, and 74 barrels of oil.
Solar for Nonprofits in Maryland
For a nonprofit, every dollar not spent on electricity is a dollar that goes back into the mission. CSAAC’s 107-panel system saves the organization more than $5,000 a year, about $200,000 over the system’s life, and Phase 2 will extend solar to its headquarters and group homes. Nonprofit solar projects like this one often qualify for incentives designed for organizations without tax liability. See more of our Maryland solar installations.
