Erie County Times

Erie Central Fire Station in Pennsylvania has become the first fire station in the state to go fully solar, ensuring that the station can remain operational and staff ready to respond even during power outages and disasters. The move is part of the city's efforts to embrace renewable energy and increase safety in the community.

In a ceremony earlier this year, Erie Mayor Joe Schember officially "flipped the switch" to turn on the solar panel array that will provide power for Erie's Central Fire Station. The array consists of 225 solar panels with a capacity of about 88 kilowatts of power, designed to provide 100 percent of the station's annual electricity consumption. Any excess power generated will be sent back to the local utility company, Penelec, for bill credit.

According to America is All In, an organization dedicated to climate action, the solar array at Erie Central Fire Station will provide 104 percent of the station's electricity needs. The system also includes a battery backup, allowing the station to run for 168 hours independently in the case of emergencies and possible disasters.

The installation of the solar panels has been hailed as a significant step towards creating a safer urban environment. Justin Mason, Program Director of the Pennsylvania Conservative Energy Forum (CEF) and Field Director of the Pennsylvania Land & Liberty Coalition, praised the foresight of the Erie Central Fire Station in integrating solar power and storage capacity. He described the project as the first solar resiliency rooftop build in Pennsylvania and the fifth in the entire United States.

Erie Mayor John Schember sees the Central Fire Station as a bold step in a new direction for how the city is powered. His ultimate goal is for every city-owned building in Erie to be powered by solar energy. Mayor Schember believes that transitioning to solar energy will not only increase safety in the community but also save the city money in energy costs.

The adoption of solar power by the Erie Central Fire Station showcases the city's commitment to renewable energy and resilience. By embracing solar energy, the fire station is ensuring that it can continue to provide essential services even in times of power outages and emergencies. The move sets an example for other fire stations and public buildings in Pennsylvania to follow suit.