Island Transit has completed the installation of solar panels on its Coupeville and Camano operating bases. The rooftop solar panels are part of the agency’s transition to reducing carbon consumption by gaining energy from zero or low carbon sources.

A combined total of 363 grid-tied solar photovoltaic panels have been mounted on both facilities. This month Island County Commissioner Janet St. Clair, who is a member of the Island Transit Board, flipped the switch and powered up the Camano base panels. The Coupeville base is anticipated to go live by November.

Both facilities provide real-time access to current and historical power generation statistics in the lobbies as well as on the website. The panels are anticipated to produce 134.4 kWh of energy per year with a potential annual combined savings of 138 kWh.

“These solar panels will reduce Island Transit’s energy costs and environmental impact,” St. Clair said. “This is an essential step as the agency moves closer to reducing their dependency on non-renewable energy and transitioning toward a zero emissions fleet.”

The solar panels were manufactured in Washington State and funded, in part, through a grant of $133,795.00 from the Washington State Department of Commerce. Island Transit continues to support a sustainable, clean transportation future with renewableenergy solutions.

To learn more about all Island Transit’s projects, please visit www.islandtransit.org/projects.