Energize Weekly, November 27, 2019
New York City’s biggest solar array will be built at the John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) – a 13-megawatt (MW) array with 7.5 MW of battery storage, the New York Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced Nov. 18.
The project will also have a community solar component – making it the country’s largest community solar project. It will serve homes and businesses around the airport at reduced rates.
SunPower Corp. will build the facility, and the Goldman Sachs Renewable Power Group will provide the financing and hold the power purchase agreement for the electricity from the project. The cost of the project was not disclosed.
The project will be built at Building 149, with 1 MW of rooftop solar, and Long Term Parking Lot 9, where the 13-MW array and the 7.5 MW of energy storage will be located.
Boston-based BlueWave Solar, a developer and manager of community solar facilities, will handle the subscriptions and billing for surrounding homes and businesses participating in the community solar program.
“The projects will reduce the airport’s demand for fossil fuel-generated electricity and add resiliency to the AirTrain system,” the Port Authority said in a statement.
The project will reduce the Port Authority’s JFK greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 10 percent – 6,699 tons annually or the equivalent of taking 1,422 cars off the road each year.
The JFK renewable energy program is part of the Port Authority’s goal of reducing the agency’s greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent by 2025 and its AirTrain system goal of an 80 percent reduction in all emissions by 2050.
“As the first transportation agency in the country to embrace the Paris Climate Agreement, the Port Authority is committed to integrating clean energy technology at all of its facilities,” Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole said in a statement. “The Port Authority is excited to be part of this collaborative effort bringing together community stakeholders, government and private business to advance our regional sustainability goals.”
