Alice Springs Airport is adding 325kW solar PV capacity to its existing 235kW of renewable energy power generation.
The $1.9 million project will incorporate structures that will double as a shaded car parking area.
The first stage of the Airport’s solar farm was built in 2010 and since that time has provided around a quarter of the facility’s electricity. The original development consists of 28 Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) arrays mounted on trackers.
The additional 995 solar panels will further substantially reduce the Airport’s reliance on mains grid power.
Standard BenQ solar panels are being used for the expansion. BenQ’s monocrystalline modules were selected for their superior performance in extreme temperatures and their black appearance will reduce glare; an important feature given the application.
“This investment represents our commitment to further develop our solar energy capability, and it’s exciting to see it coming to fruition,” said ASA General Manager Katie Cooper.
In addition to solar power, the Airport has also replaced its hot water system with a solar hot water unit to service public terminal areas.
The Airport was a 2011 Brolga Award winner and the winner of the Commercial/Industry category in the 2011 PowerWater Melaleuca Awards for its efforts in sustainability. It also won two environmental awards in the Engineers Australia Northern Division 2011 Engineering Excellence Awards for its solar facility.
At 3,550 hectares, Alice Springs Airport is Australia’s largest in terms of land occupied. The solar projects are part of the 2010 Alice Springs Airport Master Plan, which provides for investment in new aeronautical infrastructure and non-aeronautical developments to 2029.
The commencement of additional services in 2013 contributed to strong passenger growth for the first half of the financial year for the Airport, with passenger numbers growing by 18.3 per cent.
