To help meet its climate and energy goals that call for identifying and deploying clean energy systems, Montgomery County has launched an effort to install solar photovoltaic systems (solar panels) at County facilities.
As part of that overall effort, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) June 25 issued a Request for Energy Proposals (RFEP) to solicit responses from qualified solar electric power project developers interested in installing solar electric power generation systems on 12 County parking garages. Montgomery County will be among the first major east coast urban jurisdictions to have solar generation on top of its parking facilities. The project will not reduce the number of parking spaces.
Benefits to the County from the project will include:
a) Saving money by reducing transaction costs, financing and administrative time across a portfolio of facilities;
b) Reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity generation;
c) Achieving competitive contract terms; and
d) Promoting local economic activity and job growth.
The department intends to purchase all electricity generated by the systems on a per kilowatt basis. Excess power can be used to reduce electric bills for the underground garages owned by the County.
Proposals are due by Sept. 5, and construction is expected to begin in early 2015. The entire RFEP process will be handled via MCDOT-Parking Management’s web site.
More information about the project is available on MCDOT’s website.
