The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport in Tennessee is now able to generate enough solar power to meet 100 percent of the airport’s total energy needs. This makes it the first and only airport in the United States to achieve this renewable energy goal. The airport and its partners, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and EPB, recently celebrated the completion of the final phase of its solar farm, including a 2.64-megawatt solar installation. Overall the solar farm is about the size of 16 football fields, eight long and two wide.
President and CEO of the Chattanooga Airport, Terry Hart said, “this is a momentous day for the Chattanooga Airport as we complete our solar farm and achieve a major sustainability milestone.This project has immediate benefits to our airport and community, and we’re proud to set an example in renewable energy for other airports, businesses, and our region”.
The project was made possible by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding through its Voluntary Airport Low Emission and Energy Efficiency grants. The partnerships with the TVA and EPB was instrumental in bringing the solar farm online, providing technical support to ensure the project complied with national standards and codes.
“Renewable energy is a tremendous asset in terms of economic and environmental benefits,” said Doug Perry, TVA vice president of Commercial Energy Solutions. “With more than 50 percent of our generating portfolio carbon-free, we’re excited to help the airport protect the environment as they drive tourism and commerce, both vital to achieving our shared mission of economic prosperity for our community”.
This isn’t the first sustainability project by the airport. The solar farm will be along side multiple LEED certified facilities, a stormwater system, green infrastructure, and electric car charging stations.
To see all of Chattanooga Airport’s initiatives and its sustainability pledge visit www.chattairport.com/sustainability.
