Affordable Solar Completes Sunport Phase III Project
Mayor Richard J. Berry and representatives from Affordable Solar, PNM and the Albuquerque International Sunport officially turned on Phase III of a solar array mounted on the airport’s parking structure. Affordable Solar completed and interconnect the 411-kW (DC), solar system for the Albuquerque Sunport May 23. With Phase III, Sunport reaches 1 MW in solar power capacity. The Phase III of renewable power generation to the airport stimulates the local economy and demonstrates the City of Albuquerque’s environmental leadership.
The project, designed as a long term hedge against rising utility costs, provides power during peak hours when the grid needs it most. Taking advantage of the VALE (voluntary airport low emissions) Federal Aviation Agency grant, Phase III of the project added 1,750 panels (411 kW) to the parking canopies on the top deck of the public parking garage. The additional solar panels will offset approximately $30,000 in annual energy cost–savings the Sunport project creates for the City of Albuquerque.
Phase III of the low profile system, designed and integrated by Albuquerque based Affordable Solar, will annually replace around 600,000 kWh of coal generated energy with clean, renewable energy–enough electricity to power 100 homes.
In addition to reducing utility bills, the Sunport’s solar energy project provided a welcome boost to the local construction industry and local manufacturers. Affordable Solar, a locally owned company, utilized Albuquerque manufactured Schott Solar panels and employed multiple local small businesses and construction trades: B&D Industries and National Roofing, among others.
Affordable Solar delivered the project on time and budget while working proactively with the City of Albuquerque Airport operations officials, airport police, City inspectors, and PNM with minimal disruption to airport operations.
Nationwide, installations are booming, jobs are being created, and solar has proven itself as a reliable energy source. Last year, prices for PV dropped 20 percent, while U.S. installations grew 109 percent over 2010. Projects like the Albuquerque Sunport reflect how solar industry growth will reduce long term costs and create jobs in the U.S. and local economy. Nationally, the solar industry employs over 100,000 people. In New Mexico, the renewable energy sector created 15 percent of the total 35,800 new green jobs in 2011
Comments are closed here.