Skip to content
Metro Transportation Research Library and Archive: Click to return to homepage
  • About
    • About Us
    • News and Updates
    • Our Primary Resources in Action
    • Policies
  • Daily Headlines
  • LA Transportation History
    • Past Visions: 1920s
    • Past Visions: 1930s
    • Past Visions: 1940s
    • Historic Traffic Plans: 1911-1957
    • Archive
      • Online Archive of California
      • Search Digitized Material
        • Search California Highways and Public Works Magazine: 1924-1967
        • Search CEO Briefs & Every Voice Counts 2005-present
        • Search Electric Railway Journal 1884-1931
        • Search Employee News Magazines: 1918-2009
        • Search Metro Library’s Digitized Documents
        • Search Metro’s Board Records 1993-2015 and its Predecessors Meeting Minutes 1951-1993
        • Search Metro Board Correspondence/Board Box 1993-present
        • Search Los Angeles Metro Press Releases 1993 – Present
  • Resources to Know
    • Start Here: An Approach to Transportation Research
    • Transportation Data and Related Resources
    • Databases and eBooks
    • Environmental Studies
    • Metro Library Knowledge Hub
    • Search the Library Catalog
  • About
    • About Us
    • News and Updates
    • Our Primary Resources in Action
    • Policies
  • Daily Headlines
  • LA Transportation History
    • Past Visions: 1920s
    • Past Visions: 1930s
    • Past Visions: 1940s
    • Historic Traffic Plans: 1911-1957
    • Archive
      • Online Archive of California
      • Search Digitized Material
        • Search California Highways and Public Works Magazine: 1924-1967
        • Search CEO Briefs & Every Voice Counts 2005-present
        • Search Electric Railway Journal 1884-1931
        • Search Employee News Magazines: 1918-2009
        • Search Metro Library’s Digitized Documents
        • Search Metro’s Board Records 1993-2015 and its Predecessors Meeting Minutes 1951-1993
        • Search Metro Board Correspondence/Board Box 1993-present
        • Search Los Angeles Metro Press Releases 1993 – Present
  • Resources to Know
    • Start Here: An Approach to Transportation Research
    • Transportation Data and Related Resources
    • Databases and eBooks
    • Environmental Studies
    • Metro Library Knowledge Hub
    • Search the Library Catalog

May 10: This Date in Los Angeles Transportation History

  • Written by Kenn Bicknell

2005:  The installation of solar panels at Los Angeles County Metropolitan Tranpsortation Authority‘s Division 15 in Sun Valley and Division 8 in Chatsworth is complete.

The 1,638-panel installation is the 20th-largest green energy-producing installation ever built in the United States and the largest at a U.S. transit property to date.

The panels are predicted to produce up to 425 kilowatts of power at peak, saving Metro up to $150,000 per year in electricity costs.

Based on a yearly energy consumption cycle, the installations will produce average savings of 20% of the total energy needs of each division.

The shade produced by the panels, which cover about 70% of each roof’s surface area, is also expected to reduce heating and cooling costs, and prolong the life of the roof itself.

The panels cost $1.5 million per division to fabricate and install, but Southern California Gas Company provides rebates for half of that cost.

The rebates mean that the solar panel investment should pay off in 7 to 10 years, providing large future savings for Metro.

Additional information regarding the project can be found in the February 3, 2005 issue of the MyMetro employee news digest.

  • Last Updated June 3, 2024

Metro's Primary Resources

Part of Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Facebook-f Flickr Threads Youtube Envelope

Quick Links

  • Transportation Data and Related Resources
  • Environmental Studies
  • Knowledge Hub
  • Start Here: An Approach to Transportation Research
  • Visit metro.net
  • Transportation Data and Related Resources
  • Environmental Studies
  • Knowledge Hub
  • Start Here: An Approach to Transportation Research
  • Visit metro.net

Contact Us

1 Gateway Plaza, 15th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90012

  • Email: library@metro.net
  • Employee Hours: 10AM to 4PM, Monday through Thursday
  • General Public: Open by Appointment
Vintage transit poster that reads Rail Rapid Transit now! Contains image of speeding red rail car to convey urgency.

Copyright © 2025 Metro

 

Loading Comments...