Ensuring Fleet Readiness with Smart Charging Infrastructure
Client: Large Metropolitan Transit Authority | Location: West Coast, USA | Solution: Fleet Electrification Infrastructure
The Challenge
The Transit Authority was committed to transitioning its entire bus fleet to electric vehicles (EVs) but faced a significant hurdle: the massive, concentrated energy demand of charging dozens of buses simultaneously threatened to overwhelm the local grid infrastructure and incur exorbitant utility upgrade costs and demand charges.
The SolarComtech Solution
SolarComtech provided a fully integrated solution that combined on-site solar generation with intelligent charging management. The deployment included:
- Solar Canopy Charging: A 1.5MW solar canopy was installed over the bus depot, providing clean, direct power for charging and protecting buses from the elements.
- Smart Charging Software: Our proprietary software was integrated with the depot's charging stations to dynamically manage the charging schedule, prioritizing buses based on their next route time and minimizing the total power draw from the grid at any given moment.
- Grid Communication: The system communicates with the utility via an SC-Connect Hub to ensure grid stability and participate in demand response programs.
The Results
100%
Fleet readiness maintained, with all buses charged and ready for their routes daily.
$0
Avoided utility infrastructure upgrade costs due to intelligent load management.
1,800+ MWh
Annual clean energy generated on-site by the solar canopy.
Conclusion: SolarComtech's integrated approach allowed the Transit Authority to meet its aggressive electrification goals efficiently and cost-effectively, setting a new standard for sustainable public transportation.