London-area Farnborough Airport will burnish its sustainability credibility with the addition of a new solar energy-generating array.
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UK business aviation hub Farnborough Airport will soon embark on a solar energy project that will be one of the largest installations in the southeastern part of the country.
When completed, the project will cover 25 percent of the airport’s electricity needs. Solar panels will be installed on the curved roofs of the airport’s iconic hangars, on its three-story terminal, the airport control tower, its ground support facility, and on the onsite Aviator Hampshire Hotel. It will also allow Farnborough’s fleet of electric vehicles to be charged using self-generated electricity.
Many aircraft hangar roofs are unable to accommodate the weight of traditional solar arrays. However, the airport will partner with solar power generation solutions provider Solivus, which has developed a lightweight solar energy panel that Farnborough’s hangars can accommodate.
This project marks the latest in the company’s environmental efforts. It was the world’s first business airport to achieve carbon-neutral 3+ status in 2018, and it began offering sustainable aviation fuel to all customers in 2021. Earlier this year, it was awarded Level 4+—the highest level of carbon accreditation by the Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme.
“In our efforts to be a sustainability showcase for airports around the world, we are always looking for new ways to supply and create sustainable energy sources,” said Farnborough Airport CEO Simon Geere. “The new solar installation will enable us to reduce our controllable emissions as set in our Net Zero Roadmap, in which we have committed to be net zero by 2030 or sooner.”
UK business aviation hub Farnborough Airport will soon embark on a solar energy project that will be one of the largest installations in the southeastern part of the country.
When completed, the project will cover 25 percent of the airport’s electricity needs. Solar panels will be installed on the curved roofs of the airport’s iconic hangars, on its three-story terminal, the airport control tower, its ground support facility, and on the onsite Aviator Hampshire Hotel. It will also allow Farnborough’s fleet of electric vehicles to be charged using self-generated electricity.
Many aircraft hangar roofs are unable to accommodate the weight of traditional solar arrays. However, the airport will partner with solar power generation solutions provider Solivus, which has developed a lightweight solar energy panel that Farnborough’s hangars can accommodate.
“In our efforts to be a sustainability showcase for airports around the world, we are always looking for new ways to supply and create sustainable energy sources,” said Farnborough Airport CEO Simon Geere. “The new solar installation will enable us to reduce our controllable emissions as set in our Net Zero Roadmap, in which we have committed to be net zero by 2030 or sooner.”