The department aims to double its solar power production in five years.
WHEATON, Md—Montgomery Parks is expanding its solar initiative, with a goal of doubling the park system’s solar energy production over the next five years. The initiative reflects the agency’s commitment to environmental sustainability, operational efficiency, and clean energy leadership in Montgomery County in support of the county’s Climate Action Plan.
Currently, solar installations generate 17% of the energy used across Montgomery Parks—roughly 3.4 million kilowatt-hours annually. Through a strategic combination of rooftop, ground-mounted, and parking canopy solar installations, the department aims to increase that number to nearly 6.8 million kilowatt-hours—the equivalent of energy use for 642 homes for one year.
“Environmental sustainability is at the core of the Parks Department’s mission and is a key pillar of our new general plan, Thrive Montgomery 2050,” said Montgomery Planning Board Chair Artie Harris. “By expanding our solar footprint, we’re cutting carbon emissions, lowering energy costs, and modeling sustainability for the communities we serve.”
Current Successes
Montgomery Parks began leveraging solar energy in 2018 with ground-mounted systems at South Germantown Recreation Park and Rock Creek Regional Park, developed through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Standard Solar. These two sites alone feature nearly 7,500 solar panels, producing 2.5 megawatts of clean power annually—enough to meet the energy needs of 38 park facilities.
In addition, the agency has installed rooftop systems at two maintenance yards, demonstrating how existing infrastructure can serve dual purposes.
“With this initiative, we will show how parks play an important role in reducing carbon emissions and increasing green energy production,” said Montgomery Parks Director Miti Figueredo. “Taking a leadership role in expanding solar in the county is a natural fit for us, and we look forward to announcing some upcoming solar projects in the near future.”
Upcoming solar projects will be supported by a mix of the Parks Department’s capital funding and external incentives, including Federal Investment Tax Credits, Maryland’s Solar Canopy Grant Program, and the Clean Energy for Local Governments Program.
About Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 415 parks. Montgomery Parks is focused on promoting physical activity, social connectivity, and environmental stewardship, especially in diverse and urbanizing areas, with an emphasis on teens, working-age adults, and seniors. Montgomery Parks is a department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a bi-county agency established in 1927 to steward public land. M-NCPPC has been nationally recognized for its high-quality parks and recreation services and is regarded as a national model by other parks systems. MontgomeryParks.org
Accessibility
Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Program Access Office at 301-495-2581 (Voice/TTY), MD Relay 7-1-1 or 800-552-7724 or ProgramAccess@MontgomeryParks.org to request a disability modification. Visit Montgomery Parks Accessibility for more information.
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