The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has inaugurated a 5.4 MW PV installation featuring technology from SunPower. The system is expected to generate the equivalent of 51% of the electricity demand at the airport's rental car center, two East Economy parking garages and toll plaza, saving $4.7 million over the next 20 years, according to the airport and SunPower.
The project was facilitated in part by Arizona Public Service Co.'s (APS) incentive program, which offers financial incentives to customers that help to offset up to 40% of the costs of installing solar energy.
The airport has a solar services agreement in place with SunPower, which designed and built the system and is operating and maintaining it. The airport is hosting the system and buying electricity at rates that are competitive with retail electricity. The renewable energy credits associated with the energy produced by the system will be transferred to APS in fulfillment of the state's renewable portfolio standard and tariff.
SunPower installed SunPower E20 solar panels at three rooftop locations: the Rental Car Center and two buildings that comprise the East Economy Garages. System construction was completed in two months, the company adds.
