New Addition at Tallahassee Int’l Creates World’s Largest On-Airport Solar Farm
For full article see: Airport Improvement Magazine
Building the world’s largest airport-based solar farm doesn’t come without challenges. There were lots of moving parts, an aggressive schedule and unexpected environmental and design complications. But the team developing the new 320-acre, 42-megawatt (MWac) solar farm at Tallahassee International Airport (TLH) prevailed—and also shattered previous records for renewable energy production for airport sited solar farms.
When the new facility became operational in January 2020, it joined TLH’s other solar farm that came online in 2018. Together, the two solar farms span 400 acres and produce 62 MWac per year, vaulting the Florida airport well ahead of other industry standouts: Cochin International Airport in India at 40 MWac and Indianapolis International Airport with 17.5 MWac.
TLH’s latest addition, Tallahassee Solar II, was completed after nearly two years of planning, design and coordination by a team that included the airport, the city of Tallahassee’s electric utility department, Origis Energy, Michael Baker International and dozens of contractors and agencies.
“The city of Tallahassee’s 62-megawatt airport-based solar facility, the largest of its kind, is a testament to our commitment to sustainability,” says Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey. “As the capital city of the Sunshine State, we are dedicated to preserving our community’s natural resources. Utilization of our airport property for the solar farm is part of our innovative approach toward reaching our goal of 100% net clean, renewable energy by 2050.”