Austin-Bergstrom unveils new solar panel array

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Austin Energy are celebrating the completion of a new solar panel array constructed on the airport campus that will produce 1.8 megawatts of locally-generated, renewable energy.

The new solar array marks a milestone in both Austin Energy’s Community Solar Program and the Texas gateway’s portfolio of sustainability efforts.

The array will provide 1.5 megawatts of power to the Utility’s Community Solar Program and .3 megawatts of renewable energy benefits toward future airport construction projects and the airport’s administration building.

With 6,642 solar panels spanning across a distance that is equal size to two football fields, the array on the top floor of the airport’s Blue Garage is the largest on-site renewable energy installation on the airport campus.

The panels offer shaded parking for Blue Garage customers and will generate enough solar energy to power up to 160 homes per year.

“Adding solar panels to the roof of our garage is a great fit for both the airport and our partner, Austin Energy,” said Austin-Bergstrom CEO, Jacqueline Yaft.

“The panels help us meet our goal of utilising on-site renewable energy, while also supporting our larger Austin community in minimising impacts on the environment.”

According to the airport, the Community Solar Program works a lot like a Community Garden – enabling customers who rent or have too much shade to install solar panels to participate in the renewable energy offering.

With the addition of this array, the Community Solar Program’s capacity has increased to 4.285 megawatts and can now provide enough local, renewable energy to power up to 500 homes.