222 solar panels installed on Hanscom Field building

Sun News Services

BEDFORD -- The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) recently announced that it placed 222 photovoltaic solar module panels as part of an $858,000 project to install a new roofing system at the Civil Air Terminal building at Hanscom Field.

The solar panels are located along the south-facing side of the building and include a series of wall-mounted panels along the building's façade.

The photovoltaic panel system is expected to produce 57,233 kWh of electricity, or 10 percent of the building's total annual consumption. This is equal to the reduction of 36.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide and is the equivalent of not using approximately 95 barrels of oil or 4,600 gallons of gasoline. The new roof covering and added insulation is anticipated to achieve a 20 percent reduction in energy consumption due to reduced air conditioning and heating demands.

"We're very happy to see this project come to fruition and it's especially satisfying to have included a renewable-energy component to the renovations," said Airport Director Barbara Patzner. "Massport recognizes the value of developing comprehensive energy strategies that make Massport a more environmentally sustainable organization."

In 2001, Hanscom Field became the first U.S. airport to receive ISO 14001 certification from the International Organization for Standardization. ISO 14001 is an internationally recognized environmental-management system standard. To be certified, a business must implement an environmental-management system (EMS) that is the tool used by organizations to control the impacts of its activities and services on the environment.

Hanscom Field is home to 261 single-engine aircraft, 38 multi-engine aircraft and 77 jet aircraft.

Massport operates Boston Logan International Airport, the Port of Boston, Hanscom Field and Worcester Regional Airport.