The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has announced that New York City’s single-largest solar energy project, an installation at John F Kennedy International Airport, has been awarded to SunPower Corporation and Goldman Sachs Renewable Power Group.
Developed in partnership with the New York Power Authority (NYPA), the JFK International Airport Solar Photovoltaic Project will generate approximately 13MW of on-site solar energy and approximately 7.5MW of battery storage, including a 6.1MW community solar generation facility. The project will help offset the Port Authority’s purchase of conventional electricity sources.
In addition to being the single-largest solar project in New York City, it is the largest planned community solar project at an airport in the USA. Once completed, the project will enable the surrounding communities to access solar energy plans at reduced rates.
The installation reflects the Port Authority’s commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement. It is expected to reduce JFK greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 6,699 tons annually, the equivalent of taking 1,422 cars off the road each year.
The project encompasses Building 141 and Long Term Parking Lot 9. Building 141 will host approximately 1MW of rooftop solar, and Lot 9 will host more than 13MW of solar and approximately 7.5MW of energy storage. The projects will reduce the airport’s demand for fossil fuel-generated electricity and add resiliency to the AirTrain system. In total, this project will reduce the Port Authority’s greenhouse gas emissions at JFK by approximately 10%.
Additionally, the electricity provided to the grid through this project will provide small business and residents near JFK the opportunity to utilize renewable energy at discounted prices.
SunPower is the solar developer and contractor for the infrastructure to be built. The financial partner, Goldman Sachs Renewable Power Group, will hold the power purchase agreement. BlueWave Solar will assist in providing the surrounding airport community with affordable access to clean electricity produced by the solar system by managing the associated subscriptions and billing.
The JFK renewable energy program is part of the Port Authority’s goal of reducing the agency’s greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2025 and of working toward its long-term goal of an 80% reduction in all emissions by 2050.