Burlington Electric Department (BED) and the Burlington International Airport (BTV) have announced they have been cleared to install a 500 kW solar array atop the airport parking garage. This project is part of the City’s ongoing commitment to add community solar to its portfolio and, with an anticipated “go-live” date for later this year, will bring Burlington’s installed solar photovoltaic to 69 projects generating 1.92 megawatts of power for the city.
“Following our recent achievement of sourcing 100% of BED’s power from renewable generation, the airport solar project is another sign that Burlington is on the leading edge of energy innovation,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “I am pleased that our comprehensive review of possible solar sites on City buildings and property is starting to produce results and look forward to going live with this and other community solar installations in the coming months. By producing energy locally and without fossil fuels, we are taking real action toward meeting our climate change goals.”
The airport solar installation is the first project of Mayor Weinberger’s initiative to utilize city-owned spaces – whether rooftops or suitable open land – as sites for solar arrays. During the 2010 airport parking garage expansion, certain space was allotted and infrastructure installed, including cable conduits within the concrete floors, to prepare for a possible solar array on the garage roof-deck. The roof-deck also includes a 13,000-square-foot roof-top garden, which helps minimize stormwater runoff from the roof and provides travelers with a green space. The solar project will not have an impact on the garden and will share the roof-top space with a Verizon communications building.
“We are very excited to increase our environmental stewardship at the airport with this installation,” said Gene Richards, BTV Director of Aviation. “The airport has long worked with BED to improve energy efficiency. This installation takes us a step further. We’ll be doing our part to reduce peak loads in Burlington, which helps keep rates low and stable for customers. It’s a win for BED customers and travelers alike.”
The Vermont Public Service Board granted a certificate of public good in early September, and construction will begin in October. BED and the airport are working in conjunction with Burlington-based Encore Redevelopment on the installation. Encore will install approximately 1,830 315-watt solar panels on fixed, ballasted racking systems, which will provide a total of 500 kW of generating capacity.
“Adding a half megawatt of locally produced solar to our power mix will be another big achievement for Burlington Electric,” said Ken Nolan, BED’s Manager of Power Resources. “Solar arrays produce the most electricity at times when the New England grid is strained. Projects such as our airport installation reduce the stress on the grid, reduce our transmission costs, and produce energy during these peak times.”
BED will own and operate the system. The installed cost is estimated at $1.5 million. Over the anticipated 30-year life of the project, BED expects to save $3.5 million in power costs, an average of approximately $117,000 annually. Also, because of a reduction of peak loads, this project has the potential to assist in deferring future transmission investments. The project will interconnect with BED's existing distribution system serving the airport.
In addition to the airport project, BED has been actively pursuing new solar rooftop installations at its Pine Street offices, the Department of Public Works building on Pine Street, and the Police Department on North Avenue. The BED Pine Street installation is slated to begin construction in spring of 2015.
PHOTOS: Upper deck under construction in 2010.