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The North Carolina Department of Transportation’s (NCDOT) rail division recently installed the state’s first solar-powered grade crossing signal lights and gate warning system in the town of Pinnacle.

Typically, crossings operate off of battery power, with the batteries charged via electricity. Batteries will be charged by solar panels at the Pinnacle crossing.

Battery capacity generated from solar panels usually can accommodate a minimum of 48 to 72 hours of crossing signals and gate operation — about equal to crossing signals and gates using non-solar technology to generate electricity, said NCDOT officials in a prepared statement.

The solar-powered crossing also features a backup generator for emergency purposes.

The rail division plans to install a solar panel signal and gate crossing at one other crossing and will continue to encourage use of the technology, NCDOT officials said.