Denver International Airport

Visitors to the Denver International Airport  (DIA) in Colorado can literally witness the future of solar power when they arrive.  The second largest solar array at an airport in North America is spread over 7 1/2 acres of airport property.  The Denver International Airport PV system consists of two megawatts and is comprised of more than 9,200 solar panels which will generate more than three million kilowatt hours (kWh) of clean electricity each year.  The future of solar power is already being realized!  Experts estimate that the DIA system will reduce carbon emissions by more than 6.3 million pounds each year.

The solar energy system at DIA was designed and installed by WorldWater & Solar Technologies Corp. (WorldWater).  Xantrex inverters were used for the project.  The solar energy system was formally dedicated on August 19.

WorldWater’s CEO, Dr. Frank Smith, stated:

“A major transportation hub like Denver International Airport has complex power demands. Our expertise in design and installation, coupled with high quality products like Xantrex inverters, enable us to tackle these projects and make commercial solar systems sustainable options for large-scale operations.”

The 50 million passengers that visit DIA annually will be reminded of the future of solar power each time they drive up to the airport entrance, making the installation is one of the most visible solar systems in the United States.  The Denver airport is the largest in the nation as far as land area, and the fifth busiest.

Why Denver International Airport for such a huge solar array?  Not only does it have the land area on which to install the solar panels, but it is also already well-known for its other green practices:

The Denver International Airport’s solar panels are ground-mounted and include tracking devices so that the panels can follow the sun’s path through the sky, maximizing exposure and energy generation.

Denver’s mayor was proudly on hand for the dedication this summer.  He noted:

“This installation at Denver International Airport fits with our Greenprint Denver action agenda for sustainability and our pledge to do all that we can to reduce our carbon footprint. We are proud to have such a large and prominently placed solar power system at DIA. This installation is both a symbol and a practical example of the City’s commitment to renewable energy.”

Will more solar projects “take off” as a result of the system at DIA?  I’m willing to bet that once the figures regarding the amount of money saved by the Airport over its first year on solar power are released, we’ll be seeing more interest in similar projects.  So, grab a ticket to the future of solar power!  Otherwise, you could be “grounded” with high utility costs.