Airports Are Showing a Growing Interest in Solar Power ...

Dec. 1, 2010
... and in response FAA this week issued a new guidance document to clearly identify the process, the technologies, available government assistance, and the cautions. “Technical Guidance for Evaluating Selected Solar Technologies on Airports†was created in collaboration with the Department of Energy, Sandia National Labs, and some of the 15 U.S. airports that are currently involved with solar projects. Jake A. Plante, project manager for the guidance document, explains, “For FAA, it’s a call for early coordination. Sometimes we hadn’t heard about projects until they were underway, and this is an attempt to try to make sure we’re comfortable with projects before they get too far along. Also, we want to review the projects more efficiently. There was a lack of information in the organization about a host of different issues related to solar. This is intended to clear those up. “For airport sponsors, they were looking for airport-specific information about solar technology and they wanted some information on economic feasibility.†Plante relates that one of the first topics for review is what technologies work best in an airport environment, and which ones create potential issues for airport safety or airspace safety or land use. Three primary considerations are land use compatibility issues; airspace review issues; and the environmental review issues. Says Plante, “I think everyone is clear now about the process that FAA will follow; plus we moved the ball forward as to what types of solar technologies are appropriate for airports and which ones may not be as appropriate.†Broadbrush, concentrated solar power (CSP) systems – or mirrored systems – are a question, because they take up large numbers of acreage and have a greater potential for reflectivity, which can create pilot/ATC navigational issues or communication interference. Photovoltaic (PV) systems, on the other hand, incorporate black panels that absorb the sunlight and don’t reflect it. They have very low reflectivity. Those don’t tend to create the kinds of concerns that the larger concentrated solar systems create in and around the airport, according to Plante. “It’s like a tale of two cities. If you’re talking solar PV, low reflectivity; if you’re talking CSP, those are large systems generally. In both cases we’re recommending that analysis be done on reflectivity and potential glare. And we recommend ways that can be done.†Other considerations discussed in the guidance include government assistance programs and the ability to generate new sources of revenue, while being part of a state’s environmental sustainability program. Comments Plante, “It offers a new revenue stream for airports and something that may be compatible with airport operations. Environmentally, it doesn’t seem to create any unique resource issues; it doesn’t seem to attract wildlife, for example. “We’re hearing from more airports that want to do this, and we weren’t clear about our procedures. So we have a better handle now on what we need to do to make sure that these systems are safe. “If you look at the financial side, there are federal tax credits for solar, and a number of states offer tax credits. It varies quite a bit by state. Then you have utility mandates. A lot of the states have set goals or standards for how much renewable energy they want the utilities to have by a certain date. So, airports help the state and the utilities to meet their mandates, and give credits for those systems. “In addition to the tax credits, they get renewable energy credits. When you put the package together – like Denver, Bakersfield, Fresno, Oakland, San Francisco – it’s a profitable enterprise.†To view the guidance, visit … www.faa.gov/airports/environmental/policy_guidance/media/airport_solar_guide_print.pdf. Thanks for reading. jfi