The solar panels at Government House are part of an energy efficiency effort involving several contractors that will be installing upgrades at 37 buildings over the next year.
The arrangement allows the state to foot the $17.8 million cost by borrowing from the state Treasury and repaying the loan through savings guaranteed under the contract. The project is projected to reduce utility costs by nearly 20 percent, and the loan is expected to be repaid within 14 years.
The two panels at the mansion are to be installed on a flat part of the roof that won't be visible from the street. Officials have cleared the plans with the Maryland Historical Trust, which lists the mansion as an historic site, said Hatim Jabaji, director of energy performance and conservation at the Department of General Services.
FOR THE RECORD - An article Thursday incorrectly described how solar panels at the governor's mansion will work. The thermal panels will produce solar-heated water.
The Baltimore Sun regrets the error.
Changes to the home have been known to rankle area residents and strict historic preservationists. One of the most recent was the Ehrlichs' Halloween lawn decorations that included a giant blow-up pumpkin, an air-filled Dracula and tombstones. A large Victorican-style fountain commissioned by Gov. William Donald Schaefer's companion, Hilda Mae Snoops, drew criticism for excess when unveiled 20 years ago.
Will the solar panels similarly offend?
"I can imagine history buffs getting upset about just about anything," said Elaine Rice Bachmann, director of artistic property at the state archives. "There's always a hue and a cry when there are changes made to Government House, like when the Ehrlichs put out inflatables and people thought that was inappropriate. But when you've got little kids, who's to judge?"
Mark Bartlett, owner of AtisSun Inc., which installs solar panels, said he was thrilled at the idea of the panels being installed on Government House - and hopes that it encourages even more residents to do the same. "It's fabulous, a great message," he said.
More residents have warmed to the idea, especially as state and federal incentives can offset the cost of a typical residential solar thermal system by 60 percent. The solar program in Maryland has become so popular that the state ran out of money last year and had to put hundreds of people on a wait list.
"Forget cash for clunkers, this is cash for water," Bartlett said. "It's really a win-win. Homeowners save money, and the average house reduces its C02 emission by 2,000 pounds a year."
