BART is expanding the use of solar power at its stations.
The BART Board of Directors voted Thursday to approve a contract with the San Mateo-based SolarCity Corp. to install, operate and maintain solar photovoltaic systems (solar panels) at the Lafayette and new Antioch eBART stations for the next 20 years.
Under the agreement, SolarCity will install solar panels on parking lot canopies at the two stations that not only are expected to generate enough energy to fully power the stations, but will also provide additional shade for commuters parking their cars.
"These are two of the warmer locations that we have in the BART system," BART spokesman Chris Filippi said. "So one advantage is that their cars are going to be a lot cooler because of this system."
BART's first foray into solar-powered stations came in 2007 at the Union City Station. After that, BART tried to get solar projects off the ground at the Lafayette and Orinda stations, but negotiations with the developer fell through.