System Expected to Deliver Almost $5 Million in Savings Over 20
Years
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and SunPower Corp
dedicated a 5.4-megawatt high efficiency SunPower solar power
system on Wednesday. The system is expected to generate the
equivalent of 51 percent 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.
"With this SunPower system, Sky Harbor Airport is reinforcing
its commitment to energy conservation and improving air quality in
Arizona, while saving airport funds," said Phoenix Mayor Greg
Stanton. "Councilman Bill Gates has been championing this effort at
the city and it's exciting to see it come to fruition."
"This SunPower system will reliably produce clean energy for
years to come," said SunPower Director, Western Project Sales, Rick
Whisman. "SunPower's technology will ensure that the system
delivers energy over the long term, reducing operational expenses
significantly with no upfront expenditure."
The project was facilitated in part by Arizona Public Service
Company's (APS) Renewable Energy Incentive Program, which offers
financial incentives to customers that help to offset up to 40
percent of the costs of installing solar energy.
The airport has a solar services agreement 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, providing a hedge
against rising electricity costs with no capital investment. The
renewable energy credits (RECs) associated with the energy produced
by the system will be transferred to APS in fulfillment of the
state's renewable energy standard and tariff.
At the airport, SunPower installed SunPower E20 solar panels,
the most efficient solar panels on the market today, at three
rooftop locations: the Rental Car Center and two buildings that
comprise the East Economy Garages. System construction was
completed in two months at the end of 2011.
According to estimates provided by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, the system is expected to offset the production
of more than 5500 tons of carbon dioxide per year, which is
equivalent to removing 19,800 cars from Arizona's roads over the
next 20 years. (Image provided by SunPower Corp)