In line with its plans to be net zero by 2030 or sooner, Farnborough Airport in the UK has unveiled plans to embark on one of the largest light-weight solar installations in the South East, enabling the airport to generate 25% of its own power.
Solar panels will be mounted on the airport’s iconic undulating hangar roofs, as well as its state-of-the-art terminal building, the airport’s control tower, its Ground Support Facility building and its 169 room hotel, the Aviation Hampshire. The installation will also enable the airport’s operational fleet of electric vehicles to be charged using self-generated electricity.
“In our efforts to be a sustainability showcase for airports around the world, we are always looking for new ways to supply and create sustainable energy sources – the new solar installation will enable us to reduce our controllable emissions as set out in our Net Zero Roadmap, in which we have committed to be net zero by 2030 or sooner,” said Simon Geere, Farnborough Airport’s CEO.
Due to start in 2023, the construction of the solar array will be carried out by Solivus (solar power generation providers). According to the company’s CEO, Jo Parker Swift, 40% of large buildings such as aircraft hangars are unable to take the weight of conventional solar, hence the need for light-weight installations. “At Solivus, we are on a mission to simplify the decarbonisation of the built environment, so we are proud to be working alongside a business who have likeminded goals.”
The solar installation plans follow a series of successful sustainable milestones at the dedicated business aviation hub. Having achieved carbon neutrality (the first business aviation airport to do so) in 2018 Farnborough was awarded Level 4+, the highest level of carbon accreditation by the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) scheme earlier this year. Meanwhile, in 2021 it began offering sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to all customers and in 2022 offered SAF at the same price as standard Jet A1 fuel for a two-week trial period.
