The Delaware Transit Corporation (DTC) – DART First State is pleased to announce our “Clean Energy and Energy Savings Initiative” continues to move forward with our recent award of a $2.5 million Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant for Buses and Bus Facilities Program to install solar array at our Dover Operations and Administration Facility.
This project involves the installation of a canopy system with a solar panel array for our bus facility in Dover, Delaware. This facility, which has 102 bus parking spaces, serves as the primary bus storage location in Central Delaware.
A solar panel array, covering approximately 60,000 square feet, will be installed on top of a canopy structure. This clean energy will be used to assist with power to our facility and our six fully electric buses operating out of this facility.
The benefit of this project includes easing and improving the operation of the bus facility by providing shelter for the bus fleet. The canopy offers year-round protection from extreme weather conditions, improving our fleets reliability while enhancing service to our customers. Additionally, the use of the canopy as a platform for solar panels will allow DTC to generate its own clean power to reduce operating costs and help meet sustainability goals established by the State of Delaware.
“From our growing fleet of fully electric fixed route buses to converting our paratransit buses to propane, our public transportation system is evolving to become more environmentally friendly and efficient,” said Secretary of Transportation Jennifer Cohan. “Modifying existing infrastructure with this grant to increase our clean energy capabilities is another win for all of us.”
The Dover Operations Facility houses fixed route and paratransit buses, including six electric buses, a bus wash and other facility support services. The solar panel project will assist with enhancing the facility by reducing maintenance costs and extending the service life of vehicles while reducing energy costs and promoting the use of clean sustainable energy.
John Sisson, DTC’s Chief Executive Officer, stated “We are very excited to continue our efforts towards a cleaner transportation network. Along with the solar panels that were installed at this facility with a previous FTA grant in 2011, we will be producing up to 900 kWh of energy to support our operations and fuel our electric buses.”
The Delaware Transit Corporation, a subsidiary of the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), operates DART First State. For more information, please visit www.DartFirstState.com or call 1-800-652-DART. Real-Time Bus Information and DART Pass, the mobile fare payment option, are both available on the free DART Transit App (iOS and Android).
