Rendering of new solar installation Tampa International Airport
In a collaborative venture Tampa Electric Co. and Tampa International Airport (TIA) have
announced the largest utility solar installation in Tampa Bay region. To clarify the title, TIA is not going totally solar, what they are doing is installing solar PV panels on the top floor of a mega airport parking lot.
Tampa Electric will build a 2-megawatt solar panel canopy on the top floor of TIA’s south Economy Parking Garage at an estimated cost of $5 million to $6 million. The airport provides the real estate for $15,000 a year and allows the utility to send the energy back to its grid.
No parking spaces will be sacrificed in the installation and lots of shade will be provided with the new parking canopy; a major benefit in Florida's sun dominated weather.
But the 2 megawatts — which can power up to 250 homes — is the electric company’s first foray into utility-scale solar. Tampa Electric currently produces a paltry .135 megawatts of energy from the sun.
You would be right if you thought that the Florida utility was dragged kicking and screaming to this project. Some credit goes to Tampa's democratic Mayor who has taken on the business community with considerable success.
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, representing the city at the news conference, saw the collaboration as a breakthrough. “For us not to have developed the solar industry in our state is astounding,” he said. “I understand the power companies are reluctant, but it’s imperative we reduce our carbon footprint. I’m glad to see Tampa Electric shifting its mindset and adapting to the new technology.”
The airport solar array is a kick in the bucket of air travel's carbon footprint. The industry is under
scrutiny to reduce its emissions. Me? I'm waiting for
solar air travel