TurningPoint Energy’s most recently developed Garrett County, Maryland solar farm is already contributing to the community. In June 2022, both elementary and college students toured the site, learning first-hand about solar project construction and operation from David Wagner, director of asset acquisition construction for DSD Renewables, the project investor and owner/operator. 

First, a group of third, fourth, and fifth grade Grantsville Elementary School students toured the site. The Grantsville Elementary students were part of the school’s gifted and talented or the FIRST Lego League programs. They learned about the components of the solar panels, how the sun’s energy is converted to electricity, and how it travels to the grid. Students also learned about the amount of energy each solar cell can produce and how that relates to household consumption.

The Grantsville Elementary School FIRST Lego League program feeds into the high school level Garrett County Robotics Coalition Team (GaCo). Earlier in the project development phase, TurningPoint Energy donated to GaCo Team 1629, as part of its ongoing commitment to investing in every community that hosts its solar projects.  GaCo’s vision is for every young person in Garrett County to achieve that “ah-ah” moment that develops their potential and success in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).  In April 2022, GaCo Team 1629 won the Top Award at the FIRST Robotics World Championship in Houston, Texas.