Representatives from the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA), Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) and SunPower Corporation gathered with public officials at PATCO’s Ashland Station on Wednesday, August 5 to officially unveil plans and highlight work to date for the 22-megawatt (mw) solar energy project – one of the largest transportation-related alternative energy initiatives in the Greater Philadelphia region.

The solar generation technology includes installation of more than 50,000 solar panels along with 133 high-efficiency solar photovoltaic parking canopies at seven sites: PATCO’s Ashland, Lindenwold, Woodcrest and Ferry Avenue Stations; Commodore Barry Bridge, Betsy Ross Bridge and DRPA’s headquarters building, One Port Center.

With an expected 2021 completion date, the project is expected to provide more than 50% of the total electricity consumption through solar energy for the DRPA and PATCO. The initiative is funded through a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) pursuant to which DRPA will purchase all electricity generated by the project. This enables DRPA to purchase the reliable solar-generated electricity at a fixed, pre-determined rate that is lower than the cost of traditional electricity energy typically generated by burning fossil fuels. The Authority is expected to save up to $12 million over the 20-year term.

“This monumental solar initiative demonstrates DRPA’s commitment to providing world-class transportation services that create significant savings, and added value for the public,” said John Hanson, DRPA CEO and PATCO President.

The solar technology project will generate an estimated 22-megawatts (mw) of electricity through a combination of ballasted flat roof mounts, and solar canopies over parking, storage and work areas. All PATCO sites will feature high-efficiency solar photovoltaic parking canopies, which will provide customers’ vehicles with protection from the summer sun and inclement weather.