Howard County, Maryland, recently marked the energization of the 3.2 MWdc Lime Kiln community solar project with a ribbon cutting ceremony in Fulton. Developed by Maryland-based Chaberton Energy and operated by national renewable energy provider Pivot Energy, the project is fully subscribed under the Maryland Community Solar Program and will help residents and businesses save an average of 10% annually on electricity bills. “We are so proud to bring new renewable energy generation to Maryland and Howard County,” said Stefano Ratti, founder and CEO of Chaberton Energy. “With growing energy demand and rising electric bills, projects like Lime Kiln help ease pressure on the power grid and save families money.”
“Renewable energy projects like this one are critical to the continued success of Howard County,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, who spoke during the ceremony. “Solar is bringing locally generated energy to our community, while helping meet Maryland’s ambitious goal of reaching 100% renewable energy by 2035.”
Beyond energy generation, the project incorporates agrivoltaics by supporting sheep grazing and planting native pollinators—like milkweed, black-eyed Susans, asters, and mountain mint—to enhance biodiversity and agricultural productivity across 15 acres of the 57-acre site. During the event, Chaberton Cares also awarded a $10,000 STEM scholarship grant to the Bright Minds Foundation, benefiting Howard County students over the next five years. Lime Kiln is one of two Pivot-Chaberton solar projects coming online in Maryland this summer, with the 3.3 MWdc Greyrock project in Wicomico County set to follow soon.
