By Kari Williamson

The solar PV plant will consists of around 220,000 thin-film solar PV panels from First Solar. It is scheduled for operation in early 2012 and is expected to produce more than 22 GWh annually.

The US$60 million solar facility will be financed, owned and operated by Constellation Energy and the power will be sold to the state of Maryland's Department of General Services and the University System of Maryland under 20-year solar power purchase agreements (PPAs).

In addition to the 16.1 MW system, Constellation Energy is developing an approximately 1.3 MW solar power system on the site that will supply power directly to the university.