By Jennifer Upshaw
The Marin Independent Journal
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — Firefighters are harnessing the power of the sun to fuel their tools.
Since October, fire Engine 52, stationed at Third and Union streets, has relied on a $260 solar panel to charge everything from portable radios to the onboard computer. Now it will be fitted with a second device that should bring full solar capability to the busy fire engine.
The technology has performed so well plans are in place to add panels to another well-used vehicle, Engine 51 — assigned to the downtown station on C Street, apparatus mechanic Steve Rutkowksi said.
“I’ve been pushing this technology for a couple of years,” said Engineer Dave Holland, a big believer in solar who has 30 panels affixed to the roof of his Lafayette home. “It’s taken time for them to get comfortable enough for them to go out on a limb and try it out.”
Radios, thermal-imaging equipment, cell phones, flashlights - anything with a battery needs to be charged. Equipment assigned to engines that run calls all day long are a challenge to power, fire officials said.
“This engine’s really busy,” Division Chief Ritt Hewitt said. “They’re in the middle of our city. They’re just busy. They don’t have an opportunity to stay in the station and get plugged in; (the panel) is constantly off-setting that drain.”
So far, San Rafael fire appears to be the only Marin fire agency using solar panels on its engines, fire officials said. But that could change.
Firefighters said they think solar has a bright future for the fire service, especially if the panels are built into engines, trucks and ambulances as the vehicles roll off the assembly line.
“I think it will take off like wildfire — literally,” Holland said. “The cost of this is such, it’s really using your resources to your advantage. It’s really a no-brainer.”