Last month, the Sacramento International Airport announced that it opened two solar array fields on airport grounds that will produce approximately 30 percent of the power needed to run the facility. According to officials, the solar farm is expected to cut airport energy costs by about $850,000 a year. The solar facility sits on 35 acres and generates 7.9-megawatts to help make the airport more environmentally friendly. According to an airport statement, the solar facility will be owned and operated by NRG Energy, who will then sell electricity to the airport at a reduced rate as part of a 25-year deal.

According to airport spokeswoman Laurie Slothower, the solar facility is connected to the Sacramento Municipal Utility District grid to allow solar power to flow out during the day and grid power in at night, which is part of a net metering agreement. The facility has 23,000 solar panels mounted on racks that track the sun’s movement through the day to try to optimize the amount of electricity generated. The facility seems like a great way for the airport to save money and decrease the burden on the Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s grid during the day. Maybe more solar panels will be added in the future to further save money on electricity and for the airport to be more self sufficient.

Read the full article here