CPV Backbone Solar repurposes former coal mine land to deliver clean, renewable energy to the state of Maryland.
Competitive Power Ventures’ (CPV) affiliate CPV Renewable Power and its strategic investment partner Harrison Street Asset Management (HSAM) announced the start of commercial operations at CPV Backbone Solar, a 160-megawatt (MW) solar project located in Garrett County, Maryland. In parallel, CPV secured its third solar tax equity financing with U.S. Bank. Marathon Capital served as advisor, emphasizing the project’s quality and CPV’s leading role in developing utility-scale renewable projects. Situated on a reclaimed, decommissioned coal mine, the 324,000 panels at CPV Backbone Solar are designed to produce enough energy to power 30,000 households, repurposing the land and providing needed generation to the state.
“CPV Backbone Solar exemplifies our mission to support a responsible energy transition,” said Sherman Knight, CEO of CPV. “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.”
“At CPV, we look for ways to invest in energy communities where our projects can have the greatest impact. Garrett County provided the necessary criteria for us to bring CPV Backbone Solar to Western Maryland,” said Mike Resca, EVP of CPV Renewable Power. “This project adds significant tax revenue to Garrett County, and we look forward to being partners for years to come.”
“CPV Backbone Solar demonstrates the role utility-scale renewable infrastructure can play in meeting growing power demand,” said Carolyn Arida, Senior Managing Director of Infrastructure and Co-Portfolio Manager at Harrison Street Asset Management. “We value our partnership with CPV and look forward to continued collaboration as we expand our portfolio of contracted renewable projects nationwide.”
CPV Backbone Solar was constructed by Vanguard Energy Partners, a leading solar engineering, procurement, construction firm. “We appreciate the continued partnership with CPV and the opportunity to bring the CPV Backbone Solar project to completion. This was a complex site, and our teams stayed focused, resilient, and committed from start to finish to safely deliver a high-quality project,” said Geoffrey Fairclough, President of Vanguard Energy Partners.
Supporting Maryland’s Clean Energy Goals & Energy Communities
“In a time where we are pushing for economic development across our state and job creation, it is great to see the CPV Backbone Solar project come online,” said Senator Michael McKay. “We look forward to CPV’s continued investment in our communities.”
“I’m excited to see the CPV solar project come online. Not only does it return previously mined land to use and add to the County’s tax base, it brings a new source of power to the grid at a time when demand for electricity is growing,” said Delegate Jim Hinebaugh, Jr. CPV Backbone Solar began development in 2020. Throughout the process, CPV has worked to build strong, lasting relationships with local stakeholders to make a positive impact in Garrett County.
“We’re happy to see this reach commercial operations,” said Board Chairman of Garrett County, Paul Edwards. “By bringing this project to Garrett County, CPV is helping to preserve our region’s natural beauty while creating new economic value for our residents. It’s a win-win for us and the environment.” The project also includes investments to enhance community and environmental stewardship, including a $100,000 contribution over a four-year period to the Deep Creek Watershed Foundation to help strengthen long-term vitality of the region’s natural resource.
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