Airport News
Borrego Solar will install it on the airport’s parking lot and main building rooftops, on the west side of the terminal site, and will break ground on the project in mid-2014, with an estimated completion date in late 2014.
The system will generate an estimated 5.3 million kilowatt-hours of electricity in the first year, supplying 10-13% of the energy needs for Terminals 1 and 2.
Borrego Solar will build and finance the system through a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA), which is expected to save SDIA between $3-8 million over the contract period.
Through a PPA, the airport is able to go solar at no upfront cost, instead purchasing the solar power from Borrego Solar at a cheaper cost than utility rates.
Thella F. Bowens, president and CEO of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, says: “This solar project – the first at the airport – will be a noteworthy and visible highlight of our ongoing commitment to sustainability.
“By partnering with Borrego Solar, we will boost our sustainability efforts with clean energy generation, providing environmental benefits to the region and financial savings to the airport authority.
“And we’re happy to be working with a company that is a local San Diego success story, employing local workers in construction of this project.”
The installation is part of SDIA’s larger initiative that began in 2008, when it was the first major airport to adopt a formal sustainability policy.
Efforts include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, achieving LEED certification in all new construction, reducing water use, using energy efficient lighting, and re-using and recycling construction waste.
Borrego Solar CEO, Mike Hall, says: “As a San Diego-based company who makes extensive use of the airport, we are especially proud and excited to be partnering with SDIA on their first major solar project.
“This project will be a great compliment to the energy reduction initiatives the airport has already undertaken and will show others in the region that the technology exists for large energy users to make a cost-effective switch to reliable on-site solar energy.”
