Finding new ways to harness the sun’s power effectively and creatively is a challenge Solade Concepts has taken to the streets, literally. Plans are in place to install one of their Solar Bus Shelter in Corona, California, tying into the grid and providing the city with the benefit of renewable energy. The Solar Bus Shelter was appropriately named “The Corona” for its connection to the city and it’s inference to the halo of the sun (which is where we get solar energy). Once completed, The Corona will be the world's largest single renewable energy producing bus shelter. This is certainly a feather in the cap of the solar structure manufacturing company based in Corona and the City of Corona.
The Corona will be more efficient and productive when compared to the current solar battery backup types of bus shelters being installed. The battery backups serve to store energy and run the night time LED lighting, while The Corona will produce 1.2kW per hour, well beyond the approximate 10 watts needed to run the night time LEDs. Rather than storing surplus energy in a battery pack, The Corona will put the surplus back into the grid, which will offset the cost of the nearby 18 traffic signals.
The Corona will be located on North Main Street and Old Mill Road, and will make effective use of the Sanyo 205 watt modules and Enphase Energy Micro-Inverters. In addition to the benefit of renewable energy being provided to the grid, The Corona is also a source of a rebate. Most utility companies are paying rebates for grid tied solar, which will supplement the cost of the project as each Solar Bus Shelter will fetch a rebate around $2500, while the battery backup shelters get nothing.
Solade Concepts is also working with other cities that see the benefit of making a renewable energy investment now that will be paying off for years to come on a product that they use everyday. City officials, transit agencies and advertising companies are encouraged to contact Solade Concepts at 800-991-3013 for a free evaluation and how they can assist with renewable energy strategic plans.