ARLINGTON — A new partnership at Arlington’s airport will use the power of solar energy to garner green savings — in the way of both energy and cash.
Announced Monday, the municipal airport has partnered with Veregy, a decarbonization company that focuses on smart building technology and clean energy, to create a state-of-the-art solar installation. This includes solar-covered car canopies and rooftop solar arrays on the terminal building, making it the largest array of its kind in Washington.
Airport officials say the installation, costing roughly $668,000, will start garnering savings July 8. The solar array is expected to generate nearly 145,000 kWh of renewable energy annually and reduce emissions by over 2,500 metric tons of CO2 over the course of the project.
“The savings over time will be extraordinary for the airport, for our tenants, and for users alike, in addition to the city,” airport Director Marty Wray said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Veregy expects to see a return on investment in just over 11 years. Part of the project was funded through a $250,000 grant from the state Department of Transportation. The airport expected to receive 30% or more in project cost savings from the federal government through Inflation Reduction Act tax credits.
This isn’t the only major solar project in Arlington.
In 2021, the Snohomish County Public Utility District launched a $12 million microgrid near the airport with a capacity of 500 kilowatts.
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