Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport installed a 5.4-megawatt high efficiency SunPower solar power system, according to a Feb. 22 press release. The panels are currently located at three airport rooftop locations: the rental car center and two parking garages.
The system is expected to generate the equivalent of 51% of the electricity demand at the airport's rental car center, the two parking garages and toll plaza. The energy savings is estimated at $4.7 million over the next 20 years.
The project was facilitated in part by the Arizona Public Service Company’s (APS) Renewable Energy Incentive Program, which offers financial incentives to customers that help to offset up to 40% of the costs of installing solar energy. As well, the renewable energy credits associated with the airport’s system will be transferred to APS to fulfill the state’s renewable energy standard and tariff.
According to estimates provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the system is expected to offset the production of more than 5,500 tons of carbon dioxide per year — equivalent to removing 19,800 cars from Arizona’s roads over the next 20 years.