Airport Solar Farm in the Works

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA) selected ET Energy Solutions LLC to develop a solar farm on Indianapolis International Airport property.

ET Energy Solutions is a joint venture comprised of three locally based firms that bid on the project. Raleigh, N.C.-based Telamon Corp., a minority business enterprise, is 50 percent owner of the joint venture, while mechanical contractor and service company Johnson-Melloh Solutions and architecture and engineering firm Schmidt Associates — both Indianapolis-based — make up the remainder.

Under the terms of the agreement, ET Energy Solutions will finance, design, construct and operate the solar facility on land leased from the airport authority. The local group will work in conjunction with solar energy technology and development firm SANYO North American Corp., which will provide panels and assist with financing arrangements.

Design and utility interconnection studies are currently underway and construction could begin as early as the fourth quarter of 2011 if the weather permits, according to the IAA. The 41,000-solar-panel facility will become operational in mid-2012 and is expected to be one of the largest airport-based solar farms in North America. The farm will be installed on ground-mounted racking systems and take up about 60 acres of land near the airport.

With expected annual production of more than 15 million kilowatt hours of electric energy, the farm will create enough energy to power more than 1,200 average American homes for a year. The renewable energy produced will prevent approximately 10,700 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year — about the equivalent of removing 2,000 cars from the road. To help raise awareness of solar energy, real-time output data will be available to the public.

Electricity created by the airport solar farm will feed directly into the grid operated by the Indianapolis Power and Light Co. through existing surface transmission lines that connect the airport terminal to a substation west of the airport.

John Clark, executive director and CEO of the IAA, said the project supports the IAA’s commitment to sustainability, while also helping to grow and diversify its revenue stream. No public funds or airport costs are expected to be involved in the project.

“The IND solar farm is just the latest innovation in our land-use strategy moving toward implementation,” said Clark. “Finding productive and harmonious uses for airport land ultimately aids our efforts to attract and maintain the air service that anchors the IND Aerotropolis and generates economic benefits throughout our region.”

The airport authority utilizes the concept of an aerotropolis — an ‘airport city’ that involves a collaborative, multimodal approach to maximize an airport’s ability to foster economic growth and infrastructure development throughout its surrounding region.

"The airport serves as the gateway into Indianapolis, and this is a great way to showcase our efforts to become a more sustainable city,” said Mayor Greg Ballard. ”Installing solar panels on airport property not suitable for other development, with the intent to power our city using renewable energy sources and generate revenue, demonstrates the culture of innovation and commitment to sustainability that has taken root throughout Indianapolis."

The IAA looks to achieve additional strategic partnerships in the future and is currently seeking and forging a non-binding memorandum of understanding with key stakeholders in the airport’s neighboring communities.

“The ripple effect of the Airport Solar Farm will be felt across Indianapolis and throughout the state,” said Ron Fisher, Schmidt Associates’ director of operations. “We can see this project spurring new interest in renewable energy across Indiana, and even the Midwest.”