SOLAR AIRPORT IN FLORIDAThanks to the help of a third party, the Southwest Florida International Airport may finally be one step closer to going solar. Currently, three firms are bidding to design, finance, build and manage a solar system for the airport. Once a company is selected, the airport will lease the system over a period of 20-years. According to port authority spokeswoman, Victoria Moreland, the airport's total electric bill at the end of September 2011, totaled a staggering 2.9 million.USING SOLAR TO REDUCE ENERGY AND UTILITY COSTS Getting a bidder is a huge step for the international airport. For the last five or six years, the airport has been considering alternative energy as a way to reduce energy costs. According to port authority staff, port authority has already completed a 700,000 solar energy project at Page Field. The one-megawatt, solar panel system would power the airport's chiller plant, which cools the passenger terminals for the airport. The lease agreementalso outlines that the winning company would include annual maintenance of the system, plus offer a one-year warranty after the lease is completed. There are many variables to the project, and final negotiations with the company that secures the bid to build the system will determine what kind of a cost-savings it could give the airport, Fisher said. The special management committee ranked Regenesis Power LLC in first place, with Sodexo Solution Center and ESA Renewables LLC in second and third places, respectively. Regenesis estimated the project cost at about 4.4 million."FINANCING SOLAR ELECTRICITY Financing a solar project is one of the greatest barriers to obtaining solar. Like other institutions and companies, the airport would love the opportunity to save as much money as possible. By taking on a unique financing option (using a third party financier), the airport will be able to just that. : "Solar power may shine soon on Southwest Florida International Airport" The post Florida Airport to go Solar appeared first on Commercial Solar.
