Santa Clara Valley Transport Authority (VTA) recently advocated clean energy for public transit by installing solar power parking canopy systems at three of its bus maintenance divisions in the Bay Area. With a total capacity of 2.1 MW, the project which is a partnership between VTA, SunPower Corp, Joint Venture Silicon Valley and Wells Fargo is expected to save about $2.7 million in electricity costs over the next 20 years. The power derived from these solar panels is expected to not only meet the electricity demand of VTA’s three bus maintenance divisions but also to offset more than 2000 metric tons of CO2 emissions each year, which is equal to removing more than 9000 cars from California’s roads, or planting 10,000 acres of trees over the next 20 years.

Two of the solar installations are located at VTA’s San Jose facilities, including a 548 kW system at its Chaboya Division and a 969 kW system at its Cerone Division. The third installation is a 637 kW system at the VTA North Division facility at Mountain View. The solar project is part of VTA’s Sustainability Program that has a long-term vision to keep the Valley green and to meet today's needs without compromising future generations.

VTA has financed the solar parking system through a power purchase agreement (PPA) with SunPower, who constructed the systems using 5070 SunPower E19/425 high-efficiency solar panels which will also provide shade and protection for VTA’s vehicles. Under the terms of the agreement Wells Fargo owns the systems that VTA is hosting. VTA will buy the electricity at prices that are competitive with retail rates while being protected from rising electricity prices. VTA owns the renewable energy credits and environmental benefits associated with the system.

On February 2^nd VTA hosted a dedication of the solar power systems at its Cerone Bus Maintenance Division located at 3990 Zanker Rd., San Jose, CA. Event speakers included Santa Clara County Supervisor and VTA Chair Ken Yeager, City of San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, SunPower Managing Director Bobby Ram, and Joint Venture Silicon Valley Associate Director of Climate Initiatives Rachel Massaro.

 “The VTA solar project aligns with the City of San Jose’s bold energy efficiency and renewable energy goals,” said San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed. “This type of project also creates jobs and utilizes technologies from local clean tech companies, like SunPower, that have helped make our region a national leader in green tech innovation.”

VTA is responsible for bus, light rail and para-transit operations and also serves as Santa Clara County’s congestion management agency. By deploying solar parking structures at its public transit maintenance centers, VTA demonstrates its commitment towards promoting clean energy for public transit while meeting the evolving mobility needs of the county.