Monday was breezy in rural Maryland, but a crowd of about 70 was in high spirits as federal, state and local officials gathered at Sunnyside Farms to inaugurate a new solar panel system that will reduce power costs at this major egg producing facility.
The folks at Sunnyside Farms in Westminster gather about 29,000 dozen eggs a day, and most of those eggs go to the Baltimore area. The one acre solar array, which was funded through USDA Rural Development, a grant from the Maryland Energy Administration, and tax credits, will save an estimated 25 percent of the farm’s electrical costs each year.
USDA Maryland Rural Development State Director Jack Tarburton noted that the project promotes the Obama Administration’s effort to transition to a renewable energy economy, one that is good for business, creates jobs and reduces energy consumption. He used the occasion to announce 13 other recipients of USDA funding to reduce energy costs.
During the ceremony marking the inauguration of the project, Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Earl (Buddy) Hance created some laughter by noting that the wind was pretty brisk that day in rural Maryland and said that ” in addition to powering the egg farm with energy from the sun, Sunnyside Farms should consider a wind turbine, too.”
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