Baltimore-Based WeSolar, Inc. announces 8 MW Community Solar Deal With University of Maryland Medical System

UMMS will collaborate with WeSolar to support the construction of a Solar Farm in Baltimore City

WeSolar, Inc. and the University of Maryland Medical System today, in advance of Earth Day on April 22nd, announced a collaborative partnership to develop a solar farm in Baltimore City which will provide power to UMMS facilities as well as for city residents.

"Partnering with WeSolar is an incredible opportunity for the System to engage with a local company that, like us, is focused on ensuring the vitality of our community," said Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA, President and CEO of UMMS. "Not only does this project make good business and economic sense for our System, but it is also an opportunity to demonstrate our responsibility as anchor institutions in the communities in which we are privileged to serve."

"Our company's mission is about equity," said WeSolar CEO Kristal Hansley. "Our main goal is to reduce the bills of low-to-moderate-income customers by at least 25%."

Most underserved consumers across the U.S. pay significantly more for energy than do middle-to-upper-class households. For reasons like these, WeSolar is focused on community solar which is typically more accessible than the standard rooftop solar. Rather than purchasing panels for rooftop installation, community solar customers have the option to purchase or lease panels that reside on a nearby farm. The panels then transmit energy back into the grid, which powers individual homes. Customers who take advantage of the service receive a credit each billing cycle. This approach is extremely beneficial for customers who desire renewable energy, but face accessibility issues, particularly those who rent or live in homes that do not support the technology.

As a development partner, UMMS will pay a foundational commitment of $10,000 per month for up to 18 months to help with construction of the solar farm at a location to be determined in Baltimore City. The proposed farm is projected to generate eight megawatts of energy, of which UMMS has committed to purchasing up to 50 percent (four megawatts).

Once the farm is constructed, UMMS team members who earn less than $67,000 will also be able to acquire solar energy at their residences from the Baltimore Gas & Electric grid at a discount of up to 25%.

Solar Power Statistics

• The U.S. Department of Energy has set a nationwide target of growing the community solar industry by 700% nationwide by the year 2025.
• Three percent of the nation's power comes from solar, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which is expected to reach 14% by 2035.
• Maryland ranks 17th among U.S. states in solar power, generating 4.43 percent of the state's electricity from solar power, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.
• Solar energy provided almost two-fifths of the state's renewable electricity generation in 2020 and Maryland had 1,250 megawatts of total solar generating capacity installed as of 2021, according to the United States Energy Information Administration.
• According to the Maryland Energy Administration, Maryland has quadrupled its solar energy capacity since 2015.
• The state employs nearly 5,000 individuals in solar-related jobs and has nearly 78,000 solar installations.

This is the second solar energy-related project that UMMS has embarked on. In 2013, the System announced an agreement with Bithenergy and Constellation to purchase electricity produced by a 25-acre solar power farm in Somerset County on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Today, this farm produces about two percent of the electricity used by UMMS.

Information about other energy conservation and sustainability initiatives implemented by the System are available at: https://www.umms.org/ummc/about/going-green/sustainability-initiatives/leaner-energy.

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is a university-based regional health care system focused on serving the health care needs of Maryland, bringing innovation, discovery and research to the care we provide and educating the state's future physician and health care professionals through our partnership with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore professional schools (Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work and Dentistry) in Baltimore. As one of the largest private employers in the State, the health system's more than 29,500 employees and 4,000 affiliated physicians provide primary and specialty care in more than 150 locations, including 12 hospitals and 9 University of Maryland Urgent Care centers. The UMMS flagship academic campus, the University of Maryland Medical Center in downtown Baltimore, is recognized regionally and nationally for excellence and innovation in specialized care. Our acute care and specialty rehabilitation hospitals serve urban, suburban and rural communities and are located in 13 counties across the State. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

About We Solar

WeSolar is the nation's first community solar provider headed by a Black Woman CEO facilitating over 100MW in customer acquisition contracts throughout the NE! The company is growing quickly and provides consumers across the nation access to affordable solar energy, regardless of dwelling type. The goal of bringing equity by way of reduced monthly energy expenses to underserved communities is fast being realized.