County Executive Releases Solar Blueprint and Announces $2.1 Million in State Energy Grants Awarded to Frederick County
FREDERICK, Md. – County Executive Jessica Fitzwater today released Frederick County’s comprehensive Solar Blueprint Study and announced that the County has been awarded $2,137,642 from the Maryland Energy Administration. The announcements were made at the 4th annual Mobilize Frederick Climate Summit at Hood College.
Together, the Solar Blueprint and the state grant will help Frederick County expand home-grown, resilient solar energy while advancing key recommendations identified by the Executive’s Transition Team in the area of Sustainability, Infrastructure and Transportation.
“With the release of our Solar Blueprint and the support of the State’s investment, Frederick County is taking bold, responsible steps to meet clean energy goals,” said County Executive Jessica Fitzwater. “We are showing that it is possible to expand renewable energy while protecting prime farmland. We are leading by example in reducing the emissions of County operations. And we are doing these things while reducing costs, encouraging collaboration, and building community resiliency.”
The Solar Blueprint Study provides a data-driven roadmap for how Frederick County can contribute its share to Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standards, which requires about 50 percent of the state’s electricity supply to come from renewable sources by 2030. To support statewide goals, Frederick County will need approximately 3,300 acres of solar infrastructure – less than 1 percent of the County’s total land area. Frederick County is currently meeting about 25 percent of that target through existing and approved solar installations.
The Blueprint evaluated three primary types of solar development: ground-mounted solar installations, solar canopies over parking areas, and rooftop solar on buildings. Importantly, the study recommends prioritizing development on land that is not prime farmland, such as older industrial and mining lands. The study emphasizes protecting the County’s agricultural heritage while balancing statewide clean energy requirements.
The County also announced that it has been awarded a grant through the Maryland Energy Administration’s Local Government Energy Modernization (L-GEM) Program. The award includes $1,796,993 for renewable energy projects and $340,649 for energy efficiency improvements to County facilities.
Frederick County Government is already offsetting the electricity use of its buildings with clean energy through renewable energy certificates and existing solar installations. The new funding will allow the County to produce even more energy locally by installing additional solar on select County properties and evaluating additional opportunities to expand on-site renewable generation.
Additionally, the grant supports retrofits to County facilities to decrease their energy consumption. Renewable energy and efficiency upgrades also help stabilize and decrease long-term operating costs, reduce exposure to changes in energy prices, and enhance the resilience of County facilities.
The Solar Blueprint and L-GEM investments support Frederick County’s and Maryland’s broader climate goals. By combining strategic planning with targeted state investment, the County is taking a balanced approach— reducing greenhouse gas emissions and expanding renewable energy generation while protecting farmland, strengthening local resilience, and managing taxpayer resources responsibly.
For more information about the Solar Blueprint and Frederick County’s sustainability initiatives, visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/DEE.
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CONTACT: Annmarie Creamer
Communications Manager
Division of Energy and Environment
240-422-5288
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