Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport, in collaboration with energy and sustainability leader Veregy, has announced its selection as the Airport Business 2024 Projects of the Year – Sustainability. This prestigious accolade comes on the heels of the airport's completion of a transformative 2.88 MW solar initiative, further solidifying its nomination and award for the Airport Business 2024 Projects of the Year – Sustainability.
This groundbreaking solar project, encompassing six arrays across three strategic sites, represents a significant leap toward sustainable airport operations and financial stability. Completed in March 2023, it is distinguished as Illinois' largest airport-owned solar array dedicated to net metering, marking a new era of green innovation in aviation infrastructure.
Frank Vala, Chair of the Springfield Airport Authority Board of Commissioners, said, “We are very appreciative of this honor and are grateful for the relationships that were created and further developed because of this project. We did not just pursue a project that returned some passive revenue for the sake of ‘sustainability’; we set out to provide significant long-term value in the form of lower electric rates and renewable energy for a prime airport stakeholder, StandardAero, while creating a long-term source of revenue for the Authority that well outpaces what a simple land lease could have generated.” He concluded, “All who contributed to this project are to be commended as this project is a perfect example of our exhaustive efforts to support a major local employer, which now allows them to plan for future growth in our community.”
Officials say, the Airport Business 2024 Projects of the Year – Sustainability award is a testament to Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport's commitment to pioneering environmental practices and operational excellence. By dramatically reducing electricity costs for essential accounts by over 90% and establishing innovative net metering solutions, the airport has set a new standard for integrating sustainability into its core operations.
The project was a robust 2.88 MW Solar Array project featuring ground and roof-mounted installations producing over 4,000,000 kWh annually. A near $6 million investment, supported by significant funding from the Illinois SREC program and third-party financing through Balance Solar. Expected 20-year savings of $6.7 million, with a 30-year projection of revenue and savings of $14.1 million. An impactful reduction in carbon footprint, equivalent to significant environmental savings annually.
The project received similar accolades from the Illinois Public Airport Association and the Great Lakes Chapter of American Association of Airport Executives.
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