The Indianapolis Airport Authority will operate the largest airport solar farm in the world once the expansion of the current facility is finished in December, reports Indystar.
The solar farm will be expanded to 151 acres from its current 75 acres, at a cost of $55 million to $65 million.
The existing 44,000-panel solar farm already was the largest airport solar panel in the nation. The solar farm will have more than 76,000 solar panels after the completion of this second phase.
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It will be generating more than 31 million kilowatt hours, enough to supply power for 3,200 average U.S. homes.
Indianapolis Power & Light will buy the solar farm’s power, at a cost of three to four times more than the price for which IPL can sell it. The utility has subsidized the difference by raising rates to its customers.
The increase in electric bills to subsidize the solar farm will add up to customer bill. Solar farms will also benefit from federal tax credits.
In addition, it is owned and operated by General Energy Solutions from Thailand, which has U.S. offices in California. Developers were Telamon and Johnson Melloh Solutions of Indianapolis.
Having the world’s largest airport solar farm here in Indianapolis is a powerful testimony to the commitment to both economic and environmental sustainability, said Mario Rodriguez, executive director, Indianapolis Airport Authority.
By harnessing limited-use land near the airfield, new ways are adapted to add to the $4.5 billion annual economic impact the airport generates for this region and new ways to expand the possibilities of green energy, added Rodriguez.
Sabeena Wahid
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