Darwin International Airport in Australia has completed the first stage of its photovoltaic (PV) solar array installation, which will provide 25% of the airport’s overall energy needs.
The new installation comprises 15,000 solar panels over six hectares and will generate up to 4MW of energy, the equivalent of powering up to 1,000 households. Stage two of the project will add a further 1.5MW.
Upon completion, the total value of the project will amount to A$13m (US$10m) and it will be the largest airside photovoltaic (PV) solar array in the world.
The solar farm is entirely financed by private sector investment and is expected to reduce the airport’s power bills by A$1.5m (US$1.1m) annually based on current peak tariff rates. This also makes the project the largest 100% private sector investment in a solar PV installation in Australia.
