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Released: 7/23/2025 

DRPA Solar System Produces More Power, Saves More Money

Year-over-year increase in output drives $1.4 million in savings and reduces carbon impact

The Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) and Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) continue to realize significant benefits from its solar energy program, which remains a key component of the Authority’s commitment to sustainability and responsible fiscal stewardship.

DRPA and PATCO saved more than $1.4 million in energy costs during the most recent energy assessment period (March 1, 2024 – February 28, 2025), driven by increased on-site solar generation. Over that time, the Authority’s solar system produced 39,277 megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean energy—an 8% increase over the previous period.

June 2024 marked the peak production month for the Authority’s solar system, with solar generation supplying more than 50% of total power usage across all DRPA and PATCO facilities.

Solar Project Highlights:

  • DRPA’s solar portfolio includes seven sites across its facilities: four PATCO stations, the Commodore Barry Bridge, the Betsy Ross Bridge, and DRPA’s headquarters, One Port Center.
  • The solar systems are part of a 20-year power purchase agreement, enabling DRPA to benefit from clean energy with no upfront infrastructure costs and no ongoing maintenance responsibilities.
  • In June 2024, solar energy accounted for more than 50% of the total power used across all sites.

“Our solar initiative continues to deliver meaningful value for the region,” said DRPA CEO John T. Hanson. “It reflects our long-term commitment to sustainability, resiliency, and the responsible use of public resources. We are committed to continuing investments that benefit the public we serve-- both today and for generations to come.”

Since first coming online in phases beginning in July 2021, the solar system has generated more than 102,250 MWh of clean energy. A full financial assessment period began one-year after the last site was put online in April 2022. The Authority has lowered its energy costs by over $1.8 million over the two energy assessment periods.

By the Numbers:

  • 102,250 MWh of clean solar energy has been generated across DRPA and PATCO facilities to date
    • 39,277 MWh generated during the most recent energy assessment period, March 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025
    • 36,348 MWh generated during the previous period, March 1, 2023, to February 28, 2024
    • 26,625 MWh generated prior to February 28, 2023
  • 785,560 MWh of energy is expected to be produced by the system over 20 years
  • 26,389 metric tons of CO₂ emissions are expected to be avoided-- equivalent to the carbon sequestered by 529,400 acres of U.S. forest over 20 years
  • $1.8 million in total energy savings to date since savings methodology was instituted in 2023

The solar initiative is part of DRPA’s broader sustainability and energy efficiency efforts aimed at reducing operational costs, improving resiliency, and lowering the Authority’s carbon footprint.

For more information about the solar initiative and other DRPA infrastructure investments, visit www.drpa.org/projects.

 

 

 

 

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