BATA Receives $800,000 Solar Grant For New Operations Headquarters

Shown at sunrise is BATA’s new 80,000-square-foot Operations Headquarters in Traverse City, MI. (Photo courtesy of BATA)

The Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) has received a $795,673 grant from the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to install more than 650 solar panels on the roof of BATA’s new 80,000-square-foot Operations Headquarters, located on the corner of LaFranier and Hammond Roads, in Traverse City, MI.

BATA was one of 19 different projects selected out of 52 applications by the MPSC that met multiple criteria focused on reducing greenhouse gas emission and transitioning toward a carbon-neutral economy. In this round of funding, the MPSC awarded almost $21 million to businesses and organizations planning, developing, designing or constructing renewable energy and electrification infrastructure projects in Michigan.

“Thank you to the MPSC for recognizing the importance of BATA’s solar project. We’re very excited to be selected to receive this funding,” BATA Executive Director Kelly Dunham said. “One of BATA’s goals is to provide safe and affordable transportation while limiting our environmental impact. Integrating solar further enhances our already green approach that includes operating propane and electric powered buses and reducing the number of vehicles on our area roadways.”

Benefits of the solar project include:

• 650 roof top solar modules that will offset nearly all the facilities’ daily electrical usage.
• $63,000 in annual estimated recurring electrical utility savings.
• 260 tons of estimated carbon dioxide and 1 ton of sulfur dioxide removed from Michigan’s air, land and water, which is equivalent to removing 64 vehicles from roadways.

Next steps for the project include soliciting bids for the purchase and installation of the solar panels later this year. Installation will most likely begin in the spring of 2025 with completion slated soon thereafter.

BATA also recently received a $5,000 grant from the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation to install EV chargers at its new LaFranier Park-n-Ride transfer point and promote the new 40-plus space Park-n-Ride lot.

BATA provides more than 400,000 rides per year, connecting the residents and guests of Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties to work, school, shopping, recreational activities, and to each other. Services include dedicated routes and fixed stops within Traverse City (City Loop), regular service along the Bays (Bayline), regular connections to outlying communities (Village Loop), and on-demand transportation (Link.) Visit bata.net.