Two Delaware Transit Corporation (DTC) facilities are being retrofitted with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems under a $1.5 million TIGGER project. These solar panel installations will generate cost savings for DTC and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the amount of fossil-fuel generated electricity purchased from the grid.

At the Dover Administration Building in Dover, DTC is installing a 181.4 kilowatt (kW) direct current (DC) PV system that will produce 221,271 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually. This power source will supply 21% of the building’s annual usage. Additionally, the Wilmington Paratransit Maintenance Garage in Wilmington will gain a 158.4-kW DC PV system, capable of generating 194,601 kWh of electricity annually. The system will meet 91.2% of the building’s annual electricity usage.

A key benefit will be to cut DTC’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. By reducing the amount of purchased electricity generated from fossil fuel, the project will avoid approximately 367,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The expected yearly pollution reduction is equivalent to removing about 32 passenger vehicles from highways. This embrace of renewable energy will help DTC meet its own goals to go greener and protect the environment, and will support national clean air targets.