A Look Inside CA’s Solar Farm
Did you know that two of CA’s largest facilities are both 100% powered by solar panels?
“Any time you’re running on the treadmill at Columbia Gym or Columbia Athletic Club, you can know that the lights and power come from renewable sources,” says Jeremy Scharfenberg, CA Director of Sustainability. “I think that’s pretty cool!”
The renewable energy that powers these fitness clubs comes from our local solar farm (which we also think is pretty cool).
We’re one of the first solar farms in HoCo
Howard County may have its fair share of farms, but you don’t see a solar farm every day.
CA joined the 20-year power purchase agreement for the solar farm back in 2015, along with four other organizations. We’re proud to be the off-taker for 2 megawatts (MW) of the 10 MW installation.
But wait…there’s more
Each year, CA continues to advance clean energy and install new solar sources in our building portfolio. Our latest 47kw installation on the roof of the Columbia Swim Center generates enough electricity to power five average homes!
Keep an eye out for CA’s other solar installations across the community:
- Amherst House
- Columbia Athletic Club
- Columbia Swim Center
- Dickinson Pool
- Dorsey Hall Pool
- Hobbits Glen Golf Clubhouse
- Kahler Hall
- Long Reach Tennis Club (two systems)
- River Hill Pool
- Slayton House
You can embrace solar, too!
You can learn more about the solar co-op here. You can also contact your energy advocate at energyprograms@
Or, to learn more or get involved in our quarterly virtual energy meetings, contact Jeremy at jeremy.scharfenberg@columbiassociation.org.
To stay updated on CA’s sustainability efforts, make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
