Pittsburgh International Airport plans 4 MW extension to existing solar systems

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), in cooperation with the Duquesne Light Company (DLC) and IMG Energy Solutions, a Liberty Energy Company, is planning to expand his solar field as part of the airport’s energy innovation. The project marks the first performance contract from DLC and makes Clean Energy more accessible to the Pittsburgh region.

Pittsburgh’s International Airport in order a microgrid project, which is partly powered by a 3 MW solar system. Blue Sky News/Pittsburgh International Airport

The expansion will absorb the existing solar field 11.216 highly efficient sun collectors and insert 4.7 MW of clean energy. The electricity generated from the new solarfield is supplied to the regional power grid.

The solar extension is the latest energy initiative at the PIT, which increases the use of your property, which contributes to creating sustainable aviation fuel on site, which contributes to the existing microgrid on site, the first of its kind. The solar extension is said to be completed in 2027 and, in addition to existing solar collectors, are located directly at the exit of the airport from the I-376.

“The expansion of more than 11,000 solar modules to the existing solar field of Pittsburgh International Airport is a fantastic step towards a more sustainable future for our region,” said Sara Innamorato, Executive by Allegheny County. “I am thrilled that our airport is an energy leader and that our local partners in DLC and IMG can help to make important projects like this reality.”

The new solar project complements the existing eight hectare solar array of the airport by adding additional 12 hectares on a closed landfill-not suitable for development.

“Pittsburgh International Airport is an energy leader and we are happy to work with Duquesne Light Company and IMG for this important regional project,” said Christina Cassotis, CEO from Pit. “We maximize the use of airport assets to improve the region – from air service to real estate development to energy innovation, and there is more.”

The original eight hectares contain almost 10,000 solar collectors as part of the 23 mW microgrid project of the airport, which was started in 2021, which completely supplies an airport with natural gas and solar energy. The microgrid increases the energy exposure of the airports and lowers the costs.

“DLC is enthusiastic to be part of this groundbreaking project that emphasizes the vision of Pittsburgh’s international airport and the strength of public-private partnerships when providing the provision of the Pittsburgh region,” said Kevin Walker, President and CEO of DLC. “By expanding access to clean energy for local houses and companies, we help to promote economic growth and to bring our vision of a more sustainable future for everyone. This project is an important step to provide our communities, friends and neighbors more renewable energies.”

The extended solar field is owned by IMG and is operated by IMG with the obligation to provide DLC 100% of its energy generated and the loans for renewable energies. This agreement ensures that DLC can use the clean energy to support the electricity needs of its standard service customers who do not actively select a electricity supplier outside the DLC.

“IMG is looking forward to building on the success of Pittsburgh International Airport Microgrid, which combines thermal production with high efficiency with a solar ray on a supply scale by more than doubling our existing solar energy production,” said Mike Brady, VP of the execution of power generation at Liberty Energy.

Message from Pittsburgh International Airport