At a meeting today, the Tucson Airport Authority (TAA) Board of Directors approved a 20-year land lease with Tucson Electric Power for appx. 50 acres south of the Tucson International Airport (TIA) terminal complex for construction of a 5-megawatt photovoltaic array.
TEP will pay a fixed rental rate of $46,716.50 per year. The lease includes two five-year options.
“This is really a triple win for Tucson,” said TAA President/CEO Bonnie Allin. “The project is a compatible use for airport property, it is adjacent to a major power distribution site for TEP, and will generate power for residents in Pima County.”
The TEP installation will be a single axis tracking photovoltaic system. The project will be built by Solon and is expected to be operational by the end of 2011.
Commenting on the announcement, U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords said, “The collaboration between Tucson Airport Authority and Tucson Electric Power Co. is another clear indication of the great strides our state is making to harness the power of the sun and put it to work for us. This announcement is very good news for consumers, airport users and Arizona’s growing solar energy industry.
“Once TIA’s solar array becomes operational, the airport will be part of an impressive number of solar installations here in Tucson. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is home to the largest solar neighborhood in the nation and the base is planning to build the military’s largest solar power plant. The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System has invested in solar, as has local government, business owners, and homeowners.
“The sun is our state’s greatest natural resource. When it comes to solar, Arizona gets it,” said Ms. Giffords.
This is the second solar power collaboration between TEP and TAA. In 2007 TEP and TAA installed solar panels at the TIA parking lot revenue control building.
