Case Study: BNSF Railway – Solar Array
The BNSF Railway Stockton Solar Array is located in Stockton, CA on land owned by BNSF Railway. The solar array was placed in service September 2013. It is an 800 kilowatt (kW) ground-mounted solar system that includes more than 3,330 photovoltaic (PV) solar panels covering approximately 3 acres. BNSF Railway’s Stockton energy use is 1.8 million kilowatt-hours (kwh) annually, with 75% of this energy used at night. The energy generated from the solar array is estimated at 1.3 million kwh annually. Net metering and variable pricing optimize BNSF’s financial returns, with surplus energy generated by the solar array during the day sold at premium rates, and lower cost energy purchased from the grid at night.
This case study originally appeared in The GEMI Quick Guide on Renewable and Alternative Energy.
Image and Source: BNSF Railway Stockton Solar Array is located in Stockton, CA
