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L.A. Metro, Chevron unveil solar panel

Largest site installation for U.S. transit facility.

December 20, 2007
1 min to read


The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and Chevron Energy Solutions, a unit of Chevron Corp., introduced the largest solar panel installation at a U.S. transit facility.  


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Metro Bus Division 18 in Carson, Calif., was outfitted with 1,632 solar panels. The 498-kilowatt (DC) system is now installed on the roof of the division’s maintenance facility and six parking lot carport structures. The system was designed and installed by Chevron Energy Solutions.  


The solar panel system is estimated to generate 600,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year, enough green renewable power to save the division almost $17,000 per month. To help offset the cost of the $4.2 million installation, Metro has applied incentives from Southern California Gas Co. and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. 


The project is expected to pay for itself within 12 to 14 years. Metro is also developing a three-year plan to install solar panels on every feasible Metro facility in cooperation with local utilities.

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