Airport invests in solar power
Birmingham Airport will save 22 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year with the installation of 200 solar panels on the roof of its terminal. The 1.6m x 1m panels will generate 40,000 kWh a year; sufficient to power 12 average sized houses.
The Airport has worked in partnership with npower to install the 50kpw solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to provide renewable green energy on-site as it reduces its dependency on mains power electricity.
This is the first renewable energy and zero carbon installation on the airport site and is part of a wider project to improve its energy management and reduce its carbon footprint.
Paul Kehoe, the airport’s CEO, said: “It’s exciting for the airport to present such a visible commitment to energy reduction. Managing our greenhouse gas emissions is a high priority for the company and we’re always seeking new opportunities to work with partners to reduce our carbon footprint.”
As a leadng provider of solar PV in the UK for commercial properties, npower was selected to carry out the installation in partnership with Photon Energy. From initial meetings in October, npower was able to complete full site surveys, detailed designs, installation and commissioning in just over six weeks, ensuring the airport could immediately benefit from the green energy. As a result, there has already been a reduction in energy consumption since the panels were installed.
Graham Ryott, Development Manager at npower, added: “Birmingham Airport is committed to a sustainable future so installing solar PV as a way of generating energy is fundamental to its ongoing programme in reducing its environmental impact. As one of the busiest airports in the country, Birmingham is understandably a large energy user but supplementing its energy use with on-site generation is a positive step for the site’s future and npower is delighted to be involved.”
An added incentive of solar PV is the Government’s Feed-in-Tariffs (FITs), which provide payment to the companies for every unit of electricity generated by solar PV panels.
The current levels of FITs are applicable for installations that are completed and registered by March 2012. A 21p rate will come into effect from April 2012 for solar PV installations that become eligible for FITs on or after 3 March 2012.
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