Target 11: Pittsburgh solar energy heating systems have sat unused since 2007

PITTSBURGH — The City of Pittsburgh paid for solar energy heating systems in 2007, but a Target 11 investigation found that some don't work, and at least one was never hooked up.

The systems were paid for with a $200,000 state grant with the goal of buying solar water heaters. But pictures show solar panels sitting in a storage room at the Spring Garden fire station years later.

After firefighters complained that the panels were taking up space, crews mounted them on the roof. But the panels still were not hooked up to a water heater to make them functional.

"I really can't speak to why there was a delay," said Pittsburgh Public Works director Mike Gable.

Even though Gable said the panels in Spring Garden had been hooked up, Target 11 snapped pictures showing the hoses still were not connected.

The project to bring the solar energy to the city began 11 years ago, under a previous administration. That's when Pittsburgh was named a "Solar America" city. The plan was to have solar panels heat water for kitchens and showers at four fire stations as well as the Department of Public Works building on 5th Avenue. The goal was to eliminate the need for natural gas, reduce energy costs, and develop a cleaner source of energy.

The first system went to the fire station at Woods Run. It was operable for several years, but firefighters said the city came in and disconnected it three years ago, and it hasn't worked since. Gable said the issue in fixing it is with a needed part.

"It's not readily available and they're having a hard time locating it, but we will find it and once we do that we will replace it and that system should be fully functioning," said Gable.

The solar heater at the Beechview fire station doesn't work either. Gable didn't know how long it's been broken, but firefighters there said the system has never been used and they don't even know how to run it.

Two fire stations in Pittsburgh did have their solar systems properly installed. One is in the Strip District and the other is at the Department of Public Works facility in the Hill District. Both are functional.

Gable said expanding the system to include more fire houses is on hold, because of falling natural gas prices. And the firefighters who work in the stations where the panels were not properly installed or hooked up have hot water heated by natural gas systems.

Cox Media Group