Tomales Fire Station Solar

Civic Solar Electric Installation Project Profile

The Marin County Fire Department demonstrates community leadership and sustainability with the recently reconstructed Tomales Fire Station in the remote West Marin town of Tomales, CA.

The new construction brings the firehouse into the modern era with the 38.4 kW solar power system, electric vehicle charging stations and an upgraded on-site septic tank. These features have earned the Marin County Fire Department building LEED status (which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). The new facility replaces the original station built in 1971 that was designed to house a single engine company with living quarters for one firefighter.

Designed and installed by SolarCraft, the solar photovoltaic system will lower their carbon footprint and utility costs by almost $14,000 per year. Solar energy is a no-risk solution to improve government facilities, providing a positive impact on operating budgets from day one. The savings from the project is expected to improve the County's annual operating budget for decades to come.

The solar power system is roof mounted on the standing seam roof of the newly rebuilt fire station, consisting of 108 high-efficiency 355-watt solar panels that will produce 50,400 kWh of clean, sustainable energy annually.

During the life of the system, 36 metric tons of carbon dioxide will be eliminated. This impact is equivalent to removing air pollution produced by over 88,000 miles of driving annually or the pollutants removed by 47 acres of trees in one year.