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.

According to a release, 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.

BATA says 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.