Pennington, N.J.-headquartered WorldWater & Power Corp., a solar system developer and marketer, held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a large-scale solar electric system at Fresno Yosemite International Airport in California.
The 2 MW installation is scheduled for completion by early 2008 and will be operated by WorldWater under a 20-year power purchase contract awarded by the Fresno City Council. It is the largest solar project at any airport in the United States, WorldWater adds.
‘Solar is the ideal power solution for airports,’ says Frank W. Smith, CEO of WorldWater. ‘Approximately five acres of raised solar panels will not only provide electricity but shade for rental car lots. An additional 20 acres of ground-mounted photovoltaic arrays were approved by the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] for installation in a portion of the airport's approach zone where occupied structures are not allowed, so otherwise unused real estate becomes a valuable asset.’
