Proposal for solar array at Holcim US Hagerstown

Holcim US Inc is proposing the construction of a 10MW solar power plant on a 120-acre section of its property just south of Antietam Creek, near its cement plant in Hagerstown (MD), USA, according to reports in the Herald Mail-Media.

NRG Solar Hagerstown LLC, a subsidiary of NRG Energy Inc, will lease the site for 35 years and build the array to supply up to 20 per cent of power required by the cement plant. The project is expected to provide renewable energy to the plant for at least 20 years, according to the zoning application.

Due to the property’s classification as an agricultural (rural) zone with mineral overlay the proposal for a special exception to establish the solar-energy system will go before the Washington County Board of Zoning Appeals. The proposal states each array would be secured by a 2.1m (7ft) fence topped with security wire and a minimum 7.5m (25ft) setback with vegetative plantings that will reach at least 3m (10ft) at maturity around the west and south sides of the project to hide it from view by residents nearby.

“We’re very excited to be working with Holcim on what will be NRGs first solar project in the state of Maryland,” said NRG spokesman Erik Linden. “Were hoping to break ground in the second quarter of 2018.” Construction is expected to take up to five months.