In the quiet heart of Brandywine, Maryland, on land once used for mining sand, gravel, and discarded construction debris, a new chapter began in 2019. One that not only restored value to the land but also delivers reliable, domestically generated electricity and energy cost savings to more than 1000 residential subscribers.
This Solar Spotlight features our Brandywine Sand and Gravel solar project, a standout example of how Summit Ridge transforms underused, industrial-zoned land into valuable energy assets that serve the nation’s grid and its people.
What Makes Brandywine Shine
At full capacity, the Brandywine site delivers 6.8 MW of locally generated power through four interconnections. The system is equipped with:
• 15,444 solar panels
• 48 inverters
• FlexRack Single Axis Trackers to optimize solar capture throughout the day
From Brownfield to Bright Future
The site (known locally as the Murray Pit) was once an open mine and later used for dumping construction debris. Rather than letting this brownfield sit dormant, Summit Ridge reimagined it as a hub for solar energy production, contributing to American energy independence and local economic resilience.
Brandywine now provides reliable energy to residential subscribers in the area, helping communities reduce electricity costs and access a stable, secure supply, all while preserving undeveloped land.
(Before and after) From Pit to Power
Behind the Build: A Partnership Forged in Trust
The journey began in May 2019, when Summit Ridge initiated discussions with Brent Dilts, President of Brandywine Sand and Gravel. After numerous face-to-face meetings and walk-throughs of the property, we reached an agreement in September 2019 to pursue development at the Murray Pit site. Other developers had come and gone, but Dilts saw something different in Summit Ridge: a hands-on, mission-driven team ready to deliver.
Challenges Met with Grit and Execution
The Brandywine project wasn’t without its hurdles. Interconnection was a known roadblock, one that had halted a previous developer. But Summit Ridge took the challenge head-on, investing in a 7-mile express feeder to ensure the project’s integration with PEPCO’s grid. While permitting often becomes a sticking point for energy projects, Brandywine’s brownfield designation and Prince George’s County support helped our team secure approvals with relative ease.
After construction, the site sat inactive for nine months due to utility delays, putting added pressure on Summit Ridge’s project management team to regain momentum. With limited staff, project managers had to juggle multiple urgent tasks. During this period, the team discovered that heavy pollen and dust reduced solar panel output by 20%. They quickly launched a cleanup effort for all 15,000+ panels, coordinating with dozens of local contractors and securing the necessary equipment to restore performance within just a few days.
As financial pressures mounted with construction loan interest climbing every month, our team collaborated closely with internal teams, EPC partners, and the utility to resolve issues and bring the site back to full operational status.
A Living Classroom for the Solar Industry
More than just an energy asset, Brandywine serves as an on-the-ground training and engagement site. Summit Ridge employees, investors, and EPC partners regularly walk the site to understand its construction, layout, and best practices. For many, it’s a hands-on education in how solar can be built with efficiency, scale, and preservation of the land.
Ryan Lackey, Construction Manager at Summit Ridge, conducting an on-site training session
When asked about the challenges of turning industrial sites into long-term infrastructure that benefits landowners, neighbors, and the grid alike, Wesley Hodges, Associate General Counsel at Summit Ridge said, “Transforming the former Murray gravel pit into a solar project wasn’t just smart land use, it’s a powerful example of what community solar can achieve when underutilized spaces are reimagined to deliver local energy, economic value, and jobs. While every project comes with its quirks and challenges, this one stood out for the relative ease of permitting and the strong support from the County. All parties and stakeholders recognized that this was an ideal use of the property.”
Wesley Hodges (right), at Eric and Beth Kimmey’s (left) solar farm in Delmar, MD
From Extraction to Empowerment
Brandywine Sand and Gravel is more than a solar site; it’s a symbol of transformation. What was once land carved up for extraction is now a productive force helping Maryland meet its energy needs with grit, vision, and purpose.
As Summit Ridge continues to develop projects across the country, Brandywine remains a powerful example of how locally generated energy can deliver cost savings, strengthen grid security, and support American energy independence.
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