Community Solar Projects in Maryland
New Leaf Energy is a seasoned renewable energy developer focused on delivering projects that accelerate the transition to a world powered by renewable energy. Our roots extend back to 1980. Our business, leadership, and employees originated from the development arm of Borrego, a leading national EPC and O&M provider. We have been developing solar projects for more than 20 years—first in California, then New England, New York, Illinois, Maine, and beyond—and energy storage since 2016.
New Leaf Energy is actively developing community solar projects in Maryland, aligning with our mission to foster widespread access to renewable energy. These projects will participate in the permanent community solar program that became law in 2023. As part of the development process in Maryland, any project over 2 MW in size go through the Maryland Public Service Commission to receive a permit (called “Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity”). Any information related to the permitting process can be found on the project page below.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.
Drew Funk
dfunk@newleafenergy.com
Updates/News
March 5, 2025: Notice of Public Comment Hearing
A public comment hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 7:00 p.m., via virtual meeting, concerning Ruthsburg Rd Solar 1, LLC’s application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the Maryland Public Service Commission. The hearing will include a presentation by the Applicant. If any member of the public would like to participate in the hearing, you may sign up through the Public Service Commission of Maryland’s website https://www.psc.state.md.us/ by Monday, March 24, 2025. If a member of the public does not wish to speak, the public hearing may be viewed only on the Public Utility Law Judge Division’s YouTube Channel, https://bit.ly/2X6wLiP.
July 22, 2024: Notice of Initial Public Comment Hearing
An initial public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. concerning Dry Ridge Solar 1, LLC’s application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity to construct a 5.0 MW solar photovoltaic generating facility in Allegany County, Maryland (the “Project”). The Project is anticipated to occupy approximately thirty-one (31) acres of a 141.84-acre property located at 13615 Dry Ridge Road, Flintstone, Maryland, a portion of Tax Map 0007, Grid 0012, Parcel 0313. If you would like to speak at the hearing, please send an email to psc.pulj@gmail.com by 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. Otherwise, the hearing will be held virtually and streamed live via the Public Utility Law Judge Division’s YouTube channel (https://bit.ly/2X6wLiP).
June 17, 2024: Notice of Pre-Hearing Conference
A prehearing conference regarding the Oakland Solar project is scheduled for Tuesday July 9, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. The purpose of the prehearing conference is to establish a procedural schedule, consider petitions to intervene, and discuss any other preliminary matters. The hearing will be held virtually and streamed live for viewing only via the Public Utility Law Judge Division’s YouTube channel (https://bit.ly/2X6wLiP). To participate in the pre-hearing conference, please send an email to psc.pulj@gmail.com by 12:00 Noon on July 8, 2024. Petitions to intervene must be filed on or before July 8, 2024, and may be filed electronically through the Commission’s website at www.psc.state.md.us or sent by first-class mail to the Commission’s Executive Secretary, Andrew S. Johnston, 6 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202-6806, referencing Case No. 9734.
May 23, 2024: Notice of Pre-Hearing Conference
A pre-hearing conference regarding the Dry Ridge Solar project has been scheduled for June 10, 2024, at 2pm and will be streamed live on the PULJ Division’s YouTube Channel (https://bit.ly/2X6wLiP). To participate in the pre-hearing conference, please send an email to psc.pulj@gmail.com by 12:00 Noon on June 10, 2024. At the pre-hearing conference, any preliminary matters, including the consideration of any petitions to intervene and the establishment of a procedural schedule, will be discussed. Petitions to intervene must be filed by June 7, 2024, and may be filed electronically through the Commission’s website at www.psc.state.md.us or sent by first-class mail to the Commission’s Executive Secretary, Andrew S. Johnston, 6 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202-6806, referencing Case No. 9731.3
Active Projects
Oakland Solar 1, LLC
Ruthsburg Rd Solar 1, LLC
Dry Ridge Solar 1, LLC