DIA Proposes $7 Million Dollar Project To Convert To Solar

DENVER — Denver International Airport wants to build a $7 million solar electric-generating system to power its fuel storage and distribution system.

Airport officials said Wednesday they will ask the City Council for approval to sign a contract with two companies to develop the 1.6-megawatt project on about 9 acres north of the airfield.

It would provide almost all the electricity needed to power the airport's fuel farm. The airport would buy electricity from the solar companies for about 90 percent of the rate charged by its commercial supplier, Xcel Energy Inc.

The system is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

The airport already has a 2-megawatt solar photovoltaic system near the terminal.

Comments

[MessageForceMultiplier]

10:04 AM on 08/21/2009

Seven million is cheap. Do it.

[hithere5432187]

12:53 AM on 08/21/2009

That airport has always been a joke. Why stop now.

[tabatha]

11:41 PM on 08/20/2009

Great idea!

Great airport, too!

[lippylaroux]

07:47 PM on 08/20/2009

This will turn into the biggest waste of money for Denver since the multimillion dollar automated luggage handling system was a failure there.

[southernfriedactivist]

04:05 PM on 08/20/2009

This is sweet!

[BannedNBoston]

02:08 PM on 08/20/2009

Great plan.
If your in New Hampster
PSNH is gonna raise rates because people are conserving electricity.
Get solar panels they are cost competitive.

[Greenguy25]

10:01 AM on 08/20/2009

Great plan!

SOLAR MAID will be there to service this system.

[bannorhill]

09:28 PM on 08/19/2009

How long is the payback if ever?

[VillainUs]

02:16 PM on 08/20/2009

7 million is small potatoes, really. I am sure this will be a good investment.

Villain or no, I have solar panels on my house. The monthly payment on the loan I took out to finance the entire installation is LESS than my monthly electricity bills used to be.

That means the panels have provided me with a positive monthly cash benefit since day 1.

[ChelseaC]

07:14 PM on 08/19/2009

Wow--lots of money but saving energy in the long run is a good idea.
I love this airport--it's my fav!