For full coverage see WCTV.TV July 27 2016
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV)– A new form of energy will soon bring power to the capital city.
The Federal Aviation Administration approved the building of a solar panel farm on undeveloped land at the Tallahassee International Airport.
It’s a three way partnership between the City of Tallahassee Utilities, the airport and Origis, the energy company. The farm will take up 120 acres of land located behind the airport off of Springhill Road. That land will be leased by the airport, to the city, for 33 years. The first year of the lease will cost the city nearly $60,000.
The city will also pay for the cost of energy, which is estimated to about $1.5 million a year.
Chris Curry, aviation director at TLH, said the revenue brought in from leasing the land will go toward overall operational costs. In turn, that will benefit consumers.
“An inexpensive airport to operate lends itself to additional air service,” said Curry. “It has a great attraction for the airlines to expand service, and of course, lower cost may also lead to us being able to get better air service.”