Fla. firefighters could get first solar-powered fire station

By Chris Gerbasi
The Sarasota Herald Tribune

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. — A Charlotte County fire station that once had its roof blown off by Hurricane Charley may soon get a solar panel roof.

If a federal grant comes through, county officials say station No. 12 in Port Charlotte could become the first solar-powered fire station in the state and, perhaps, the country.

The grant, for a little less than $1 million, would also be used to install energy-efficient lighting at nine sports fields. Both projects combined would save the county $59,000 annually in energy costs.

The county has applied for several solar-related grant and bond programs in "green" initiatives that are driven by both environmental and economic reasons. The use of solar panels, for example, can cut costs at county buildings and residences, and also create installation and maintenance jobs.

In another green venture, the county began a landfill gas-to-energy project at the Zemel Road Landfill near Punta Gorda on Monday. The county will sell carbon credits from the elimination of methane, a greenhouse gas, and is negotiating to receive revenue from the sale of electricity generated from the methane. The project could produce $800,000 in annual revenue.

Andrew Baker, director of facilities, construction and maintenance for the county, said the fire station idea is "a little out of the box," but was designed to stand out in the grant process. The county also wanted a highly visible project, and station No. 12 can be seen from Interstate 75.

"It's a great opportunity for a visual, for people driving by to see solar power at work," said Brenda Powell, the county's energy efficiency coordinator.

Fire Chief Dennis DiDio said the station was chosen because it is one of the largest, is continuously staffed and uses a lot of energy. After Charley in 2004, the building was renovated with a stronger roof.

Baker said the county has not found any other fire station in the country disconnected from the electrical grid. Power would be generated from photovoltaic solar panels and used during daylight.

Power consumed at night would be offset by the excess power generated during the day.

Energy consumption from the grid would be reduced by 75 percent to 100 percent.

Lights at five sports fields at Carmalita Park and four fields at Harold Avenue Park would be replaced with high-efficiency bulbs, Baker said.

The county expects to receive word about the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant in the spring. About $13 million in federal money will be awarded statewide through the Florida Energy and Climate Commission.

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