The South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) has announced for solar power to be implemented at the Wando Welch and Columbus Street terminals.
This would make SCPA the largest rooftop solar host in the state and add to the Port’s environmental commitment.
“The solar project is an exciting step that depends the Port’s ongoing efforts to be an environmental leader in our industry,” said Pat McKinney, SCPA board chair.
He added: “The board fully supports our staff’s recommendation of a rooftop lease agreement, which allows us to focus on our core business of running a port while still achieving both environmental and financial benefits.”
Two solar panel arrays will be installed on warehouse rooftops at the two SCPA terminals by summer 2016, each will generate 3.7 total megawatts of electricity.
This will hope to return power to the grid during peak hours of energy demand and result in a reduction to the cost of power for the port authority.
The panels will be owned and maintained by SolBright Renewable Energy, LLC through a 25-year rooftop lease agreement.
Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO, concluded: “The panels will be a highly visible reflection of our sustainability programme and we look forward to the overall positive environmental and economic benefits they will provide.”
