CPV Launches Maryland's Largest Solar Farm on Decommissioned Coal Mine
Competitive Power Ventures, known for its independent natural gas power plants and renewable energy projects in deregulated markets nationwide, has started commercial operations on a 160-MW solar farm built atop a decommissioned coal mine in western Maryland.
CPV Backbone Solar contains 324,000 panels designed to produce enough carbon-free electricity for 30,000 households. The Garrett County project was developed by affiliate CPV Renewable Power and investment partner Harrison Street Asset Management.
“CPV Backbone Solar exemplifies our mission to support a responsible energy transition,” said Sherman Knight, CEO of CPV, in a statement. “By transforming exhausted coal mine land into a productive solar facility, we’re demonstrating how brownfield redevelopment, innovative engineering, and strategic partnerships can meet complex project challenges and deliver new power generation in Maryland.”
CPV touts the Backbone project as the largest solar farm in Maryland. The $200 million investment will include a planned second phase, Backbone Solar Part 2, which could expand the installed capacity to 175 MW.
The project was constructed by engineering, procurement and construction firm Vanguard Energy Partners. CPV Backbone Solar has been under development since 2022.
“We appreciate the continued partnership with CPV and the opportunity to bring the CPV Backbone Solar project to completion,” Geoffrey Fairclough, president of Vanguard Energy Partners, said in a statement. “This was a complex site, and our teams stayed focused, resilient, and committed from start to finish to safely deliver a high-quality project.”
Coal mining was a dominant part of the Maryland economy dating back to the early 1800s. The “Big Vein” find in Georges Creek Valley was a major center for the U.S. coal industry until the early 20th century.
Maryland-based CPV was acquired by Israeli firm OPC Energy in 2021. CPV has brought 6.8 GW of natural gas, wind and solar electricity generation online since 2010.
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