Suitland Federal Center The Challenge
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) was eager to demonstrate
the quiet, clean operability of solar electric power generation near its
headquarters in Washington, D.C. To build one of the largest arrays of its
kind, the agency selected a spacious federal site nearby at the Suitland
Federal Center in Suitland, Maryland, just 10 minutes southeast of
Washington, D.C.
In addition to generating green electricity, GSA and the management at
the Suitland Federal Center were eager to eliminate a large abandoned
cooling pond at the facility's central plant, a local eyesore and physical
hazard that required a surrounding fence.
The Solution
After an evaluation of
Suitland Federal Center's environmental and economic needs, Pepco Energy
Services, in partnership with Applied Power Corporation, constructed one
of the largest thin film photovoltaic arrays in the United States.
Pepco Energy Services served as the general contractor and project
manager of the photovoltaic system. This system consists of an array of
2,800 modules that converts sunlight into 100 kilowatts of electric power.
This solar-generated electricity provides power for the central cooling
plant at the Suitland Federal Center.
Working together, Pepco Energy Services and Applied Power reclaimed the
site of an abandoned cooling pond for the array. This project showcases
how quickly and easily amorphous silicon technology can meet the energy
needs of many different types of commercial and industrial facilities. The
innovative technology performs better under high ambient temperatures and
costs less to manufacture than conventional crystalline silicon panels.
Pepco Energy Services provides commercial, institutional and government
customers a complete suite of integrated energy management solutions,
including electricity and natural gas, energy assessments, energy
information systems, fuel management services, heating, ventilation and
air conditioning systems, lighting, project financing; and facility
operations and maintenance services.
Return to top
