SDVFD&RS Elects to go to Solar Power

 
By Vice President Michael Roberts and Solar Power Committee Chair Joseph C. Rodgers
April 22, 2026
 

The Second District Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad (SDVFD&RS) has entered a contract with the local solar energy firm, Energy Select to install a ground mounted solar energy system! Energy Select, located in Leonardtown MD, will install a 300 kW system for the Department consisting of 700 plus solar panels. It will be located primarily on the Department’s land located South of our new Fire/EMS station with additional panels as required between the new and the old stations.

The system will be sized to meet (averaged over the year) all our electrical needs. We are proud of this fiscally responsible investment of company funds which will save us significant energy costs for decades into the future.

This system, with a payback period of under six years, is affordable due to a generous community member donation of one hundred thousand dollars, a state grant of one hundred thousand dollars, and Federal refund opportunities. We are grateful for the continued and generous support of the community, the St. Mary’s County Commissioners, and Delegate Todd Morgan who sponsored our MD grant.

Though we are now on contract, the community won’t see installation operations for several months to come. Construction is expected to be completed in 2027.