LADOT to install solar, storage microgrid, EV charging to power electric bus fleet

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The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) announced Friday that it was awarded a $6 million grant by the California Energy Commission to install a solar and storage microgrid to power more than 100 electric buses.

The installation will be one of the largest electric vehicle fleet charging systems in the U.S. powered by solar energy.

“Los Angeles is on track to achieve a zero-emission future, and our investments in clean transportation systems are driving that progress,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “The more electric vehicles we put on our streets today, the more we can lower emissions to ensure a healthier, more sustainable tomorrow.”

The solar and storage microgrid and 104 EV chargers will support LADOT’s adoption of electric buses as the agency transitions to a fully electric fleet by 2028. Proterra and Apparent were selected to install the EV charging microgrid at LADOT’s Washington Bus Yard, where it will manage EV charging and overall energy use for more than 100 electric buses.

The agency estimates that the project will reduce gas emissions, lower LADOT’s electricity costs and provide emergency backup power for the agency to use in an outage.

“Meeting our climate and sustainability goals requires persistent investment and urgent action,” said LADOT General Manager Seleta Reynolds. “This grant provides an essential support facility as we move closer to our goal of a fully electric fleet.”

LADOT will deploy 1.5 megawatts of rooftop and bus solar canopy paired with a 4.5 MWh energy storage system to power five 1.5 megawatt fleet chargers with 104 remote EV charging dispensers.

In 2019, the City of Los Angeles established the goal for LADOT to achieve a 100 percent electrified bus fleet by 2028. LADOT currently operates 29 EV buses in its fleet, with 30 additional zero-emission buses expected to operate by Summer 2022.