For the first time, Johns Hopkins unveiled a solar project to produce solar energy to power its facilities and offset 18% of energy use. SolarCity has signed to install and maintain the 13.6MW project for Johns Hopkins and Direct Energy Business provided necessary financial services.

Due to lack of roof or ground space on current facilities for such a large-scale solar project, Johns Hopkins chose a remote solar arrangement that could still provide its facilities with affordable power. The remote solar system is made possible through cooperation of PJM Interconnection, the regional transmission organization that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity. Direct Energy Business already works directly with PJM on behalf of Johns Hopkins to schedule and procure wholesale energy, and will now secure an equivalent amount of energy as is generated by the new solar system at a low, predictable rate.

OneEnergy Renewables located the site and led the pre-construction development work. The project is expected to be completed and operational within the first half of 2016 and will serve the Johns Hopkins East Baltimore Campus. The solar system is expected to avoid the emission of 1.4 million metric tons of CO2 into the atmosphere over the next 20 years, which is equivalent to removing more than 313,000 cars from U.S. roads for one year. In two decades, the system will also produce the energy equivalent to powering more than 180,000 homes for a year.

"Johns Hopkins' solar project is not only a huge endorsement for clean energy, but also an incredible business decision that will help them save on energy costs for years," said Jesse Jones, SolarCity's vice president of development and acquisitions. "Solar power is one of the simplest and most affordable sources of energy. Even if roof space is limited, remote solar solutions can help organizations like Johns Hopkins experience all of solar's benefits."