Commercial, Solar  -  July 13, 2020

DC's Metro plans 12 MW solar installation across four stations

Metro will be completing the largest community solar project the National Capital Area and one of the largest in the nation through a $50 million deal recently signed to install solar paneled carports or canopies over surface lots and parking garages at four rail stations.

The four sites will have a combined capacity of 12.8 MW of solar energy through Metro’s 25-year agreement with SunPower Corp. and Goldman Sachs Renewable Power (GSRP). SunPower will install solar panels at the Anacostia, Cheverly, Naylor Road and Southern Avenue stations at no cost to Metro, while GSRP will own the system and provide annual payments to Metro through 2047.

“This project benefits residents of our region, even people who don’t ride Metro, by leveraging the potential of our stations to generate revenue and increase the community’s access to a clean, renewable source of energy,” Paul J. Wiedefeld, Metro General Manager/CEO, said in a statement. “This project advances the region’s sustainability goals while generating revenue to help keep Metro safe and affordable in an extremely tight budget environment.”

Homes and businesses in the area will be able to sign up to receive a portion of the clean energy generated from the 17 acres of solar panels through an optional program under the local utility.

The project is expected to begin construction in early 2021 and will help advance the Clean Energy DC plan to cut carbon emissions in half and transition to 100% renewable energy by 2032.

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