Constellation Energy Group Inc., the parent company of Baltimore Gas & Electric Co., said Tuesday it would invest $90 million to support the development of solar power systems for commercial customers. The money is being set aside to develop solar-energy installations of 500 kilowatts or larger, using photovoltaic power systems, for customers that begin construction before mid-2010. About $18 million has been committed to projects in development in Maryland and New Jersey, the company said. Constellation said it would finance as well as design, build and own a customer's solar installation, which would help a company avoid upfront capital costs.

- Gus G. Sentementes