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Located in the central portion of Kent County, just east of Chestertown. Morgnec Solar will interconnect to the power grid via a new substation located within the project site.
Construction is underway with completion anticipated in 2026.
A Solar Project Under Construction
In Kent County, Maryland
For the start of May, we’re pleased to share that construction at Morgnec Solar is now approximately 85% complete and the project remains on track for completion this summer. Major roadway stabilization work has been completed, significantly reducing track-out from the site and improving roadway cleanliness for the surrounding community. In addition, all major noise-intensive construction activities are now complete, with remaining work focused primarily on final construction and electrical commissioning activities.
Over the coming weeks, portions of the facility will begin to be energized as the project undergoes extensive safety and grid compliance testing ahead of full connection to the electric grid, currently anticipated in mid-to-late June or early July. As the project moves into final phases, the on-site workforce has already been reduced by approximately 50% and will continue to decrease as construction wraps up.
Landscape installation is also progressing well, with the western landscape buffer expected to be completed this week, followed by work on the eastern buffer and pollinator plantings in the coming weeks.
The Morgnec Road Gateway Committee announced that artist Jonathan Cox has been selected as the winner of the Gateway public art competition! This news marks a major milestone in the community-led initiative tied to the project and the committee thanks the artists and voting public for their participation Read more here.
Project Details
45 MW
Project size
8,400 HOMES
Powered annually, while offsetting 57,100 metric tons of CO₂*
$3 MILLION
Generated in local tax revenue
EXTENSIVE VEGETATIVE BUFFERING
Along Morgnec Road
Morgnec Solar Site Plan & Roadway Renderings
- The site plan displays the boundaries of the project and where the panels will be located.
- The renderings below showcase what the projected visual impacts will be along Morgnec Road after the installation of the berm.
- To download the site plan and roadway renderings, please click “Download Renderings” below.
Benefits
What does this project mean for you and your community?
LOCAL ECONOMIC IMPACT
Over its lifetime, Morgnec Solar will yield significant tax revenues to Kent County. That’s 25-35 years of guaranteed revenue from a project that does not require costly infrastructure or public services or an increase in local traffic. Further, during construction, the project will require hundreds of workers on site, which will provide an economic boost to area businesses and service providers.
LOCALLY GENERATED CLEAN ENERGY
Home-grown solar is vital to bolstering Kent County’s grid resilience and enables Maryland to meet its target of 50% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% clean electricity by 2040 with zero carbon emissions. The transition to clean energy is powered by strong communities whose landowners, local businesses, and citizens recognize their critical role in making it happen.
Land Restoration and protection
Morgnec Solar has been designed to mitigate any material impact to wetlands, cultural resources, or threatened and endangered species. In addition, the project fencing is designed to accommodate the migration and movement of local wildlife. A native vegetative buffer will provide screening of the project for residents and along thoroughfares.
A Positive Impact
for Kent County, Maryland
Morgnec Solar will pay approximately 3 million dollars in land and real-estate tax revenues to Kent County over the lifetime of the project. These dollars contribute local government budgets that support schools, public safety and infrastructure.
Estimated Tax Revenues
Will yield 3 million dollars in land and real-estate tax revenues to Kent County.
Long-Term Economic Lift
Morgnec Solar will generate power for 25-35 years and that means long-term benefit for the surrounding region.
- Increase in assessed real estate taxes of up to 6x existing assessed value of the project area.
- No county infrastructure or public services required for solar development.
- Local and regional construction jobs.
Environmental Impact
- No daily traffic from operations.
- Use is long-term, but temporary, and land can be reclaimed for farming, timber, etc.
- Minimal disturbances to wetlands, streams, and other environmentally sensitive areas within the project site.
- Annually powers 8,400 homes while offsetting 57,100 metric tons of CO2.*
*Source: Emissions reductions based on EIA state level data for fossil fuel generation replacement. Project emissions are included for entire life cycle based on NREL Harmonization studies as well as foregone forest sequestration per EPA equivalency analysis.
FAQs
Thank you for your interest in Morgnec Solar. If your question is not covered in the FAQ, please submit a question on the contact form, and we will be sure to respond.
- PROJECT LOCATION
- SAFETY & OPERATIONS
- ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE
Where will Morgnec Solar be located and is it visible from public roads?
Morgnec Solar is located in central Kent County, just east of Chestertown. The project is situated along Morgnec Road, and to ensure low visibility for area residents and from local thoroughfares, an extensive vegetative buffer will be planted along the project boundary. The project will interconnect to the power grid via a new substation located within the project site.
Who owns the land on which Morgnec Solar will be built?
The land is owned by a private member of the Kent County Community.
How do solar panels work?
Solar panels, also known as photovoltaic modules (PV modules), work by turning sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. These panels are supported by some type of racking structure that can be fixed, or it may rotate on an axis. Solar panels are paired with inverters that convert the DC electricity into a more useable form of electricity known as alternating current (AC.) The AC electricity then passes through a transformer to ensure that the power is the appropriate voltage before it is sent to the electric grid.
What happens after the useful life of a solar project?
When the solar facility is no longer efficient, the system will be decommissioned and the equipment removed, recycling everything that can be recycled, and returning the land to the condition in which it existed prior to the installation of the solar project. Solar has a minimal impact on the land, unlike fossil fuel power plants. When the project is removed, the land is returned to essentially its original state. Many landowners see leasing land for utility-scale solar projects as a form of land banking, as it has minimal long-term impact on the value of the land. Panthera Grid Partners assumes all responsibility for decommissioning and places a secure bond with the county in the event that project ownership should change in the future. This means that the county and its residents are NOT responsible for any costs for the removal of a project at the end of its useful life.
Do utility scale solar projects make noise?
Solar panels do not produce noise, but the inverters that change the current of electricity from DC to AC do produce a slight hum that is not audible past the property boundaries. Solar projects are considered quiet neighbors.
Will the project produce glare?
Panthera Grid Partners utilizes the best available Photovoltaic solar (PV) panel technology for all of our utility-scale projects. These panels are dark in color and are treated with an anti-reflective coating. The purpose of solar panels is to absorb as much sunlight as possible to produce energy efficiently so the point of the panels is to be as minimally reflective as possible. Solar panels are generally less reflective than windows and have been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration for installation on and around airports across the country.
Are there long-term stormwater concerns with this project?
Solar farms do not pose a threat to wildlife. Wildlife studies are an important part of the development process — environmental scientists study proposed sites to ensure that utility-scale solar development minimizes impact to wildlife. Solar projects can also provide important habitat for birds and pollinators like bees and butterflies. We coordinate with, and follow the requirements of many state and federal agencies during the development and permitting process of solar projects. Morgnec Solar will have fencing that is designed to accommodate the migration and movement of local wildlife.
What is the impact on area wildlife?
Utility-scale solar projects are required to reduce runoff flow rates, improve water quality, and may actually improve soil conditions by stabilizing the entire project area. Stormwater management plans and calculations are a required part of the solar development and permitting process. These plans are prepared by professional engineers to ensure that projects do not contribute to erosion or flooding.
Community Commitment
We are proud members of the Kent County Chamber of Commerce and strong supporters of organizations serving Kent County.
About Panthera Grid Partners
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Panthera Grid Partners is a portfolio company of Brookfield, one of the world’s largest owners and operators of renewable power and sustainable solutions.
Panthera Grid Partners delivers reliable, utility-scale solar, wind and energy storage infrastructure to meet America’s growing demand for domestic energy.
With a portfolio exceeding 10 gigawatts, Panthera Grid Partners operates in U.S. power markets where load growth, grid reliability and capital investment are most critical. The company develops, acquires, builds, and operates renewable energy assets with a disciplined, precision-driven focus on execution, performance, and operational integrity.
Through responsible land stewardship and strong local partnerships, Panthera Grid Partners delivers energy projects with respect for land, agriculture, and local priorities, working with landowners and communities to support long-term land value and strengthen regional economies.
Meet the team
We hope to hear from the citizens of Kent County and are eager to answer your questions or have a conversation about any concerns. Fill out the form, and we will be sure to respond.
Meet The Team Form
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