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February 4, 2009
Pittsburgh home to the first solar-powered trolley line in the world
The region’s homage to the streetcars of Pittsburgh, The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, is going solar, creating one of the first solar-powered trolley lines in the world.
The Washington County museum, located on an old urban trolley line, received $271,391 from the state to install a 36-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system to operate its collection of vintage railway vehicles. The museum is unique in that visitors experience the early trolley era by riding the beautifully restored streetcars on a scenic four-mile ride.
“It’s pretty ground breaking,” admits Scott Becker, executive director. “We think it’s neat that we’re going to use state-of-the-art technology to operate ancient trolleys.”
Becker says he’s shared the idea with the Port Authority and they’re considering the idea of expanding the model to Pittsburgh’s light rail system.
The solar system will be designed by local solar cell manufacturer Solar Power Industries of Belle Vernon. The project will give the museum its own substation and will save an estimated $5,000 in electricity costs in its first year in 2010.
The museum hosts 24,000 visitors a year and will open for the season on April 3rd. The grant was provided through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Energy Harvest Program.
Pop City - Pittsburgh home to the first solar-powered trolley line in the world
Pittsburgh home to the first solar-powered trolley line in the world
The region’s homage to the streetcars of Pittsburgh, The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, is going solar, creating one of the first solar-powered trolley lines in the world.
The Washington County museum, located on an old urban trolley line, received $271,391 from the state to install a 36-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system to operate its collection of vintage railway vehicles. The museum is unique in that visitors experience the early trolley era by riding the beautifully restored streetcars on a scenic four-mile ride.
“It’s pretty ground breaking,” admits Scott Becker, executive director. “We think it’s neat that we’re going to use state-of-the-art technology to operate ancient trolleys.”
Becker says he’s shared the idea with the Port Authority and they’re considering the idea of expanding the model to Pittsburgh’s light rail system.
The solar system will be designed by local solar cell manufacturer Solar Power Industries of Belle Vernon. The project will give the museum its own substation and will save an estimated $5,000 in electricity costs in its first year in 2010.
The museum hosts 24,000 visitors a year and will open for the season on April 3rd. The grant was provided through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Energy Harvest Program.
Pop City - Pittsburgh home to the first solar-powered trolley line in the world
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