Indianapolis Airport Builds $35 Million Solar System

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The solar farm under construction at Indianapolis International Airport, anticipated to be operational in mid-2013, is expected to generate more than 15 million kWh annually.

Two Indianapolis-based companies, Telamon Corporation and Johnson Melloh Solutions, have partnered with the Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA), the City of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL) and General Energy Solutions (GES) to build the Indianapolis Solar Farm, which is estimated to cost $35-$45 million.

The solar energy produced will be sold to IPL through a 15-year power purchase program and fed into the grid of existing surface transmission lines that connect the airport terminal to the IPL substation west of the airport.

The new electric energy generation facility will include more than 41,000 solar panels, each capable of producing 280 watts at peak power production.

Both Telamon and Johnson Melloh Solutions are responsible for the design, construction and operation of the farm. The panels will be installed on ground-mounted racking systems that will fill nearly 75 acres of land near the airport exit off I-70. Telamon and Johnson Melloh will pay a fixed monthly rate for 30 years to lease vacant land at Indianapolis International Airport.

During the construction phase, the project is employing 140 temporary workers. The solar farm will create 12 permanent positions created to manage and maintain the panels.

Environment + Energy Leader