Chevron Energy Solutions Unveil Solar Installation at Transit Facility

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority yesterday unveiled a groundbreaking energy efficiency and renewable power project with the installation of the nation's largest solar panel system at a transit facility. It is also the largest solar power panel installation within the City of Los Angeles.

The 6,720 individual solar panels at Metro's Support Services Center in downtown Los Angeles -- Metro's central maintenance facility for buses -- will generate 1.2 megawatt, or 1,200 kilowatts of renewable, emission-free power. Along with other energy-efficient improvements, the project is expected to cut the facility's annual $1.1 million energy bill in half to approximately $550,000.

"Los Angeles is now one step closer to becoming the solar capital of the United States," said Los Angeles Mayor and Metro Board Chair Antonio Villaraigosa. "Today's unveiling of the City's largest solar-powered facility will not only generate clean, renewable energy, but will provide the kinds of green jobs that this economy so desperately needs."

The project is a public/private partnership between Metro and Chevron Energy Solutions. The $16.5 million project will receive about $6.3 million in incentives from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), Southern California Gas Co., (SoCalGas), and the South Coast Air Quality Management District. The project was financed by Bank of America.

"We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with Metro to help it achieve its sustainability goals," said John Mahoney, Chief Operating Officer of Chevron Energy Solutions. "Metro is demonstrating how a transit authority can reduce its energy consumption and use clean, renewable power."

California-based Chevron Energy Solutions, which designed and installed the solar photovoltaic system, will provide long-term oversight of the facility's solar panel array and related new equipment and, in addition, will guarantee the energy savings and the level of energy generated by the photovoltaic panel array for the next 10 years.

Other energy conservation measures at the facility include the installation of new Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, compressed air systems, and the replacement of about 4,000 lighting fixtures, all controlled by a state-of-the-art energy management system.

"This is the kind of environmental responsibility we need to see more of in Los Angeles," said L.A. City Councilmember and Metro Director José Huizar. "This cleaner running facility tells us that we can and should build greener industries in our city, particularly in areas prone to higher pollutant levels. Today, Metro and its partners are setting a green standard that others need to emulate."

For completing this project, Metro expects to receive incentives of $4.9 million from LADWP, up to $633,000 from Southern California Gas Co. and $807,000 from the South Coast Air Quality Management District. To date, Metro has received $2.6 million in incentives from SoCalGas for its previous installations of solar systems providing 851 kilowatts of electricity.

LADWP provided $4.1 million through its Solar Incentive Program as well as nearly $800,000 in incentives for energy efficiency technologies such as high efficiency air conditioning unit upgrades, installation of a cool roof, lighting efficiency measures, compressed air system upgrades, energy management systems, and others.