On September 28, the city of Asheville “flipped the switch” on the photovoltaic array, known as solar panels, at the Broadway Public Safety Station on Broadway Street. This building is in the final stages of construction, and although it has not yet been officially opened, it produces solar energy. This is the seventh facility in the city to include renewable energy production, the first being the transit station on Cox Street.
The installation of solar panels supports the Council’s strategic goal of providing a clean and healthy environment and the 100% renewable energy initiative.
The Broadway Public Safety Plant will produce approximately 77,386 kilowatt-hours annually, enough electricity to power 7 homes.
Electricity generated from the panels will be used on site. When solar panels produce more electricity than the building needs, that energy will be sent back to the grid in exchange for credits. At night, or at times when solar panels are underproducing, the city will pull power from the grid and use those credits to offset the costs of that power. This is known as a “net metering” system.
Want to follow along and see how much energy these solar panels and the rest of the city’s solar panels produce? Check out our real-time monitoring webpage!
For more information about sustainability initiatives, please visit ashevillenc.gov/sustainability
