The Visalia Transit Division announced plans to install solar photovoltaic systems at four city-owned facilities and expand the CNG fueling station. In 2007, Visalia signed the Cool Cities pledge, a nationwide Climate Protection Agreement designed to reduce global warming at the community level. The ultimate goal of the program is to reduce citywide carbon dioxide pollution to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012. With transportation being the second largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, the Visalia Transit Division recognized the need to integrate clean energy solutions into day to day operations and decided to take a proactive approach to achieving this goal.
The city adopted the Visalia Solar Strategy, which provided a comprehensive approach to identifying financially feasible solar energy opportunities at city facilities. The first phase of the plan includes the installation of solar photovoltaic systems at the Transit Maintenance and Operations facility, the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling station, and the Fleet Maintenance shop, all operated by the transit division, as well as the Solid Waste Operations facility. The solar systems will offset the city’s energy consumption by approximately 80 percent and result in an estimated net savings of over $2.3 million over 20 years.
SolarCity, a nationwide leader in solar technology, has been selected to spearhead the project, which will be funded with a 20-year pre-paid Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). According to the agreement, SolarCity will install and maintain the systems at the four facilities. In turn, the city will purchase 20 years of electricity at a fixed rate, ultimately saving on installation and maintenance, as well as reduced energy rates. As a financing option, the pre-paid PPA provides the largest return on investment and protects the city against future increases in electrical and maintenance costs.
In addition to the solar installation, the city is also making upgrades to the CNG fueling station to accommodate the city’s fleet conversion to compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles and to facilitate more widespread use within the community. The station upgrades will include additional time-fill stations, upgrades to hoses, valves and control system to improve flow rates, a new compressor, and dispenser upgrades to increase fleet card acceptance and improved consumer fueling experience. The fueling station will be available to all city vehicles, Tulare County Transit, the general public and local fleets, and provide backup fueling for the school district. The $1,050,000 project will be funded in part by a $700,000 grant from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and a $300,000 grant from the Clean Energy Commission, with the remaining funds coming from the City of Visalia and Trillium CNG.
In recent years, the Visalia Transit Division has undertaken a number of actions to reduce emissions and energy usage, including the “greening” of all city vehicles and transit fleet. “We recognize the dramatic and lasting impact that climate change has had on our environment and have made it our goal to be a leader in providing clean energy solutions. Transportation is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions nationwide. We feel that it’s important for the city to lead by example and have been implementing projects that integrate sustainable practices into our day to day operations. The conversion of all city vehicles and transit fleet to CNG vehicles is an example of our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint and protecting our natural resources,” stated Monty Cox, Visalia Transit manager.
Visalia Transit is a leader in applying new technology and innovative solutions toward future progress in improving the value, efficiency, and effectiveness of its services and the economic vitality of the community. Visalia Transit's services keep pace with growth in populations and incorporate new areas while maintaining efficiency and effectiveness throughout the system. Visalia Transit provides leadership for public transportation services in the city of Visalia and partnering communities.
