The Redmond airport now includes solar panels!
Central Oregonians have been excited about the new expansion of the Redmond International Airport, aka “Roberts Field.” As the population of the region exploded over the past decade, the main airport handling flights in and out of the area just simply couldn’t keep up.
Part of the brand new facility includes one of the first community solar projects to be completed in Central Oregon. Rooftop solar panels installed on the south-facing section of the roof will generate nearly 65,000 kilowatt-hours of solar electricity each year. That will meet 10% of the energy needs for the airport facility!
The project was included as part of the terminal expansion both to defray energy costs, and also to serve as an educational tool. The hope is that the success of the Roberts Fields solar array will spur additional renewable energy development.
It makes perfect sense to include solar panels at the Redmond airport – the region enjoys 300 days of sunshine each year! The cost of the solar array was supported by a $200,000 grant from Pacific Power’s Blue Sky Energy program.
Tags: blue sky program, central oregon, community solar project, pacific power, redmond international airport, rooftop solar panels, solar arrays power, solar power airport
