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Construction Begins On Md.'s Largest Solar Project

EMMITSBURG, Md. (AP) -- Constellation Energy says it has begun construction on Maryland's largest solar power project, a 16.1 megawatt installation in Emmitsburg.

Energy produced at the $60 million solar power plant on 100 acres leased from Mount St. Mary's University will be bought by the state and the University of Maryland system. Constellation announced Thursday that it will finance, own and operate the site, expected to begin operating next year.

The site might not be the biggest in Maryland for long. The state Board of Public Works voted in July to lease land near a
state prison near Hagerstown for a 20-megawatt solar project. The projects are being built to meet the state's renewable energy goals, which call for more than 1,000 of megawatts of solar energy by 2022.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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