Pittsburgh International Airport, in collaboration with Duquesne Light Company (DLC) and IMG Energy Solutions, announced a major solar energy expansion on April 29. The project will add 11,216 high-efficiency solar panels, generating an additional 4.7 megawatts (MW) of clean energy. Scheduled for completion in 2027, the solar array will sit atop 12 acres of closed landfill adjacent to the airport's existing solar field.

This marks DLC’s first power purchase agreement and aligns with its vision for a cleaner energy future. The electricity generated will be supplied to the regional grid and support DLC's default service customers.

The airport already hosts a microgrid, launched in 2021, that uses natural gas and solar energy to fully power its operations. The expanded solar field will build on the current 23-MW capacity and further reduce regional carbon emissions by an estimated 5 million pounds per year.

IMG Energy Solutions, a Liberty Energy company, will own and operate the new field. All energy and associated Renewable Energy Credits will be sold to DLC under the new agreement.

Local officials and stakeholders view the project as a strong example of leveraging public-private partnerships to boost regional sustainability, infrastructure resilience, and economic growth.

Source: powermag.com