Providing Access to Clean, Affordable Energy for Thousands of Maryland Residents

SUMMIT, NEW JERSEY (May 7, 2020) -- Nautilus Solar Energy LLC, a leading, full-service solar solutions provider, has become Maryland's foremost owner and operator of community solar power projects, bringing clean, renewable energy to thousands of Marylanders. With more than eleven projects across five counties, the energy generated represents more than 32.8 (MW) of total capacity, producing enough energy to power over 7,000 homes. Anyone who pays a utility bill is eligible to subscribe to clean, renewable energy. 

All Nautilus projects are qualified under the Maryland Community Solar Pilot Program to bring clean and affordable energy to Maryland residents. Launched in 2017 and administered by the Maryland Public Service Commission, the program provides the opportunity for Marylanders to receive renewable energy benefits, including a lower electricity bill, and brings clean energy to households that either could not or did not want to put solar on their roof. Plus, there are additional benefits for the Low and Moderate Income (LMI) community so that the savings go to the people who could use it most. 

Nautilus serves Maryland’s LMI communities with ten projects that have between 30-51% of capacity dedicated to LMI customers. Nautilus received grant funding from the Maryland Energy Administration to offer LMI subscribers a guaranteed 25% discount on the community solar portion of their electric bill. All other residential customers are guaranteed to save 10% annually by switching to community solar power.

"Our goal is to provide access to solar power’s renewable energy benefits for everyone, regardless of income or housing situation," states Jim Rice, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Nautilus Solar Energy, as well as a native of Elkridge, Maryland, a graduate of Howard High School in Ellicott City, and an alumnus of the Naval Academy in Annapolis. "I'm excited to see my home state 'leading the way' in making solar available to all!"

Community solar expands access to solar for all, creating thousands of local jobs and a renewable energy investment. It has become the fastest growing segment of the solar market with over 1 gigawatts (GW) of installed capacity throughout the United States, enough to power about 140,000 households. Switching to solar has the same environmental effect per year as eliminating the carbon sequestered by 46.4 million acres of U.S. forest land and the greenhouse gases emitted from 8.44 million cars. Today, 19 states and the District of Columbia allow for community solar programs, creating thousands of jobs and spurring local economic investments in those states.

In October 2019, Nautilus opened Maryland’s largest residential community solar garden in Fort Washington, MD. The 6.6 megawatts (MW) community solar project, located on the former Panorama landfill site, produces enough energy to power 1,100 homes. The energy generated by the project directly benefits qualified residential off-takers who are situated within Pepco Maryland’s service territory.

Other Nautilus owned and operated projects in Maryland are located in:

These projects are scheduled to begin construction spring 2020 and be fully operational by second half of the year. For more information about community solar in Maryland, visit Nautilus Solar MD website www.nautilussolar.com/md

About Nautilus Solar Energy, LLC

Nautilus Solar Energy, LLC ("Nautilus") is a leading owner-operator of distributed generation and community solar projects located throughout North America. Over its 14-year history, the Nautilus team has successfully developed, acquired, managed and invested over $1.2 billion of capital into solar projects. Nautilus is wholly owned by Power Energy Corporation, a subsidiary of Power Corporation of Canada (TSX:POW), a global diversified management and holding company. Join Nautilus on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter and/or visit www.nautilussolar.com for more information.

Media Inquiries:

Cathy W. McAuliffe, Marketing Coordinator, Nautilus Solar Energy LLP,
cathy@nautilussolar.com