Providence-Worcester Railroad

The Providence and Worcester Railroad is a short-line freight railroad operating in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York. PWRR has hundreds of crossing signals throughout New England and New York.

Challenge

As the signaling boxes at railroad crossings age and are rehabilitated, the railroad wanted to use a solar energy solution to reduce the cost of running the station and to increase its green factor.

Solution

The railroad worked with Solect Energy to add a solar solution to the pitched roof of each rehabilitated signaling box through a specialized kit developed by Solect for this application.

Results

50% reduction of electricity costs

The .5 kW systems installed at each crossing station supplement the electric power already at the stations. Solar energy is reducing the cost of providing electricity to each signaling station by up to 50 percent. The solar project was funded in part by state and federal safety and transportation grants.