VTA Installs Solar Power Systems at Its Three Bus Yards

 The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), in partnership with SunPower Corp., Joint Venture Silicon Valley, and Wells Fargo, installed solar parking canopy systems, totaling 2.1 megawatts (MW), at its three bus maintenance divisions. Using a Power Purchase Agreement to finance the systems, it is anticipated that VTA will save $2.7 million in electricity costs over the next 20 years.

"VTA will be saving taxpayer money on energy costs while investing in a future that will benefit us all," said Santa Clara County Supervisor and VTA Chair Ken Yeager. "VTA is already combating global warming through the promotion of mass transit and congestion management. Now, we are reducing greenhouse gases through our operations, too."

Today VTA will host a dedication of the solar power systems at its Cerone Bus Maintenance Division located at 3990 Zanker Rd., San Jose, Calif. Event speakers include 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."

The power derived from these solar panel systems will offset VTA's three bus maintenance divisions' electricity demand. The clean electricity generated by these systems will also offset more than 2,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year, which is equivalent to removing more than 9,000 cars from California's roads or planting 10,000 acres of trees over the next 20 years.