Baltimore Installs Solar-Powered Parking Meters

"More than 400 of the solar-powered high-tech meters will roll out in the city during the coming months, offering drivers the option of paying with coins, credit cards or bank debit cards.

While Collier said the meters are not a revenue-making scheme by the city, drivers are more likely to comply with parking regulations when they don’t have to hunt for change to feed the old-fashioned meters.

And, instead of losing money by overfeeding parking meters, drivers can take their purchased time with them for use in other parking spaces without individual meters, he said.

The technology for the machines comes from E-Z Park, a Clearwater, Fla.-based company that contracts with the city to provide the machines and technology."