NYC’s solar school buses transport kids and power the community

New York City is rolling out a fleet of solar-powered school buses that will not only transport students but also contribute to the local energy grid. The buses, equipped with rooftop solar panels, are designed to function as large batteries capable of storing surplus energy that can be sold back to the grid by school districts when needed.

This initiative is a result of a partnership between New York’s utility company, Con Edison, and First Student, the nation’s largest school bus operator.

Con Edison said it has invested $9 million in the project, which aims to provide a cleaner alternative to traditional diesel-powered school buses, which have been linked to potential health risks in children due to their emissions output.

“We’re not only reducing emissions but also creating a smart energy hub that supports the local grid and enhances community resilience,” First Student CEO and President John Kenning said in a statement. “This demonstration project paves the way for sustainable transportation solutions that can be replicated in cities across the country, all while providing students with a cleaner, quieter, and safer ride to school.”

The project includes a smart energy hub featuring a two-megawatt battery system and a 500-kilowatt solar array located at First Student’s depot in Brooklyn.

Together, these components create a microgrid capable of storing and delivering power collected by the buses back to the local utility during periods of high energy consumption.

The first phase of the rollout includes four solar-powered buses that are already in operation.

A total of 12 buses will ultimately replace diesel models at the First Student depot, with the remaining vehicles being deployed during the next school year.