Constellation, a leading competitive retail energy supplier, joined the Baltimore Ravens to flip the switch on a new 400-kilowatt (DC) solar generation project today at the team's headquarters and training facility in Owings Mills, Md. Constellation provides energy services to the team and is the "Preferred Energy Choice of the Baltimore Ravens."
"The Ravens have worked hard to be a model of sustainability for the NFL and our fans, and this project has enabled us to extend that effort to the Under Armour Performance Center," said Ravens President Dick Cass. "We look forward to continuing to work with Constellation to promote renewable energy, and make a positive difference in our community and for the environment."
They were joined by Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, who praised the project as a collaborative effort that will promote sustainability among Ravens fans and County residents.
"We love our Baltimore Ravens, and this project is just one more example of their commitment to Baltimore County," said Kevin Kamenetz, Baltimore County Executive. "I congratulate both Constellation and the Ravens for creating a sustainable energy project right here in Owings Mills."
The project expands Constellation's already extensive relationship with the team. The company has supplied power to the Under Armour Performance Center since 2013, and last year, announced a multi-year sponsorship deal that includes exclusive naming rights to the suite levels at M&T Bank Stadium.
"The Ravens are a recognized sustainability leader, and Constellation is proud to help them further their efforts by powering their headquarters with energy from Constellation's solar power system," said Mark Huston, president of Constellation Retail. "We are committed to advancing renewable energy in Maryland and are pleased to team with the Ravens to showcase the benefits of smart energy strategies to all Ravens players, employees and fans."
The new solar energy system consists of approximately 1,210 photovoltaic panels, located on the facility's field house and grounds-keeping building, and is expected to generate approximately 460,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity in the first year of operation, approximately 15 percent of the team headquarters' electricity needs. Generating the same amount of electricity using nonrenewable sources would result in the release of approximately 317 tons of carbon dioxide, the equivalent emissions of nearly 13,000 tailgaters with propane grills, or 67 passenger vehicles annually, according to U.S. EPA data for the region.
The project is the latest in a long series of environmental initiatives by the Ravens. It was the first NFL team to earn a LEED-certified Gold designation by the U.S. Green Building Council for its sustainability efforts at M&T Bank Stadium and the team has worked with Constellation to match the electricity used during "Green Games" through the purchase of Green-e Energy* certified wind renewable energy certificates.
Constellation owns and operates the solar power system, while the Ravens will purchase the electricity generated by the solar panels from Constellation under a 20-year power purchase agreement.
The project also expands Constellation's role as the No. 1 solar energy producer in Maryland. To date, the company operates more than 60 megawatts of solar projects in the state.
By structuring its solar projects as power purchase agreements or solar services agreements, Constellation offers solar installations that may require no upfront capital from customers and may provide fixed power costs that are less than projected market rates. Commercial customers, universities, college systems, hospitals and government agencies interested in on-site solar installations of 1 megawatt or larger may contact Constellation at sustainable-solutions@constellation.com or 1-877-427-2005.
