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Porter Mill Solar is located along Route 50 in Hebron, Maryland.
Porter Mill will interconnect with the existing 69kV Hebron substation.
Construction is anticipated to begin in 2025 with completion in 2026.
A Proposed Solar Project
in Wicomico County, Maryland
Porter Mill Solar is a proposed 45.8 MW solar project planned for Wicomico County in Hebron, Maryland.
Project Details
45.8 MW
Project size
8,000 HOMES
Annually powered, offsetting 54,000 metric tons of CO₂*
MILLIONS
Generated in local tax revenue
Benefits
What does this project mean for you and your community?
LOCAL ECONOMIC IMPACT
Over its lifetime, Porter Mill Solar will yield significant real property tax revenues to the 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 Wicomico 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
Porter Mill Solar has been designed to mitigate any material impacts to wetlands, cultural resources, or threatened and endangered species. In addition, all mature vegetation on the project site will remain and 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 Wicomico County, Maryland
Porter Mill Solar will become one of the largest tax payers in Wicomico County. The project will provide incremental revenue over its lifetime. This revenue will benefit both the Town of Hebron & Wicomico County and contribute to local government budgets supporting schools, public safety, infrastructure, etc.
Local Tax Revenue
The project will generate substantial revenue through real estate tax and business personal property payments to Wicomico County and The Town of Hebron.
Long-Term Economic Lift
Porter Mill Solar will generate power for 25-35 years and that means long-term benefit for the surrounding region.
- The assessed value of the project site will improve after project installation, thus increasing property tax revenue to Wicomico County and the Town of Hebron.
- 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 the land can be reclaimed for farming, timber, etc.
- Existing mature vegetation will remain in place.
- Annually powers 8,000 homes while offsetting 54,000 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 Porter Mill Solar in Wicomico County, Maryland. If your question is not covered in the FAQ below, please submit a question on the contact form and we will be sure to respond.
- PROJECT LOCATION
- SAFETY & OPERATIONS
- ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE
Where will Porter Mill Solar be located and is it visible from public roads?
Porter Mill Solar is situated along Route 50 in Hebron, Maryland. To ensure low visibility for local residents, a vegetative buffer will be planted along the project boundary. In addition to the buffer, all mature vegetation on the project site will remain. Porter Mill will interconnect into the existing 69kV Hebron substation.
Who owns the land on which Porter Mill Solar will be built?
The land is owned by private members of the Wicomico 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.
What is the impact on area wildlife?
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.
How will the project manage erosion and stormwater during its lifetime?
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 to be a member of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce and strong supporters of organizations serving the greater Wicomico County community.
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 Wicomico County about Porter Mill Solar. We are eager to answer your questions or have a conversation about any concerns you may have as you learn more about the project.
Meet The Team Form
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