PRINCESS ANNE, Md. — A proposed solar project in Somerset County is drawing differing opinions from neighbors as state officials review whether the project can move forward.
Old Princess Anne Community Energy Initiative, LLC is seeking approval to build a 2.25-megawatt solar generating facility on about 15 acres of a roughly 29-acre property at 10410 Old Princess Anne Road.
The project would generate energy for community solar subscribers within Delmarva Power and Light’s service territory.
The Maryland Public Service Commission held a public comment hearing Monday at the Princess Anne Library as part of its review of the proposal.
The hearing included a presentation from the applicant, along with recommendations from the Power Plant Research Program of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Commission’s Technical Staff.
Neighbors were also given an opportunity to share their views about the project.
Arlene Deras of Princess Anne says she believes the project could benefit the community, particularly if it creates opportunities for local students and graduates.
“I believe it would be good if it brings jobs,” Deras said. “We have a college here in the community, and we have high school kids and stuff that would be graduating. It'd be a good, you know, commitment to them, to, you know, for their education.”
Deras also says she hopes the public discussion can help bring people together.
“Anything working with the community will bring us closer,” Deras said. “There is so much division. That's what I worry about a lot.”
Michael Edwards, who operates Wood Duck Landing Farm in Princess Anne, says he has solar panels on his own home but believes large-scale solar projects should not take up agricultural land.
“It is the wrong place to put solar,” Edwards told WBOC. “Solar belongs overtop parking lots on top of buildings. That kind of thing.”
Edwards says he supports using solar technology but believes it should be placed in locations that minimize its impact on farmland.
“It would be nice to see that technology applied with common sense,” Edwards said. “Let's not give up our good agricultural land that is in demand. Let's feed our people, and not put solar on top of that.”
Christion Quillen of Fruitland, who works in construction and closely with farmers, also expressed concerns about using agricultural land for the project.
“The land that they're, they want to use is just, you know, it's for, in my opinion, it's just more for agricultural needs, like crops, you know, corn, chicken houses, you know, things we need for food,” Quillen said.
The proposed project is still under review by the Maryland Public Service Commission. A decision on the application has not been announced.
WBOC reached out to Old Princess Anne Community Energy Initiative, LLC for comment on the proposal, but the applicant declined to comment.
Written comments on the project can be submitted to the Maryland Public Service Commission through Sept. 30, 2026, and must reference Case No. 9822.
