Key Takeaways
• Pittsburgh International Airport will expand solar power by 4.7 MW using 11,216 new solar panels by 2027.
• New solar array built on 12 acres of old landfill land, improving renewable energy and land reuse.
• IMG Energy owns and operates solar field; Duquesne Light Company purchases all power under first PPA.
Pittsburgh International Airport is set to make a big change in how it uses energy. The airport has announced plans for a new solar array that will boost its solar power output by 4.7 megawatts (MW). This project will more than double its current solar energy capacity and marks an important step forward for renewable energy in the Pittsburgh area.
A Big Leap for Pittsburgh International Airport
This new solar array project is not just about adding more solar panels. It’s about making better use of land, cutting pollution, and bringing clean energy to the region. According to official announcements on April 29, 2025, construction is scheduled to begin in 2026 and should be finished by 2027. The new installation will be right next to Pittsburgh International Airport’s existing solar field, close to the airport’s exit from Interstate 376.
Turning Old Land into New Opportunity
One detail that stands out is where this new solar array will be built. The airport owns land that once was a landfill for construction debris—land that can’t be used for normal development like building houses or offices. Instead of leaving it unused, Pittsburgh International Airport will now use 12 acres of this land to hold the new solar panels. This approach is a good example of what’s known as “brownfield redevelopment.” In simple terms, it means turning a place that might be seen as a problem, like an old landfill, into a space that helps the area by creating clean energy.
Working Together to Make It Happen
Pittsburgh International Airport is not taking on this project alone. It’s working together with Duquesne Light Company (DLC) and IMG Energy Solutions, which is part of Liberty Energy. In this deal, IMG Energy will own and operate the expanded solar field, while all the power made will go to DLC under a long-term agreement. This is DLC’s first power purchase agreement—a special contract where a company agrees to buy all the energy produced by a new renewable project. IMG Energy’s commitment means they’ll run the field and keep supplying 100% of the electricity it generates to DLC.
This partnership helps everyone involved. The airport gets to show its focus on clean energy, DLC gets a steady supply of solar power for the community, and IMG Energy gets to run a new, larger field. It’s a practical example of how big projects can come to life when public and private groups join forces.
How Much Energy Will the New Solar Array Add?
This expansion will add 4.7 MW of solar energy. For those not familiar, a single megawatt (MW) can power hundreds of homes. So, 4.7 MW is a pretty big jump. This new solar array will contain 11,216 solar panels, all designed to get as much power as possible out of the sun.
When the expansion is finished in 2027, the total solar array at Pittsburgh International Airport will increase from 3 MW to 7.7 MW. That’s more than doubling the airport’s current solar production. The extra energy produced by this expansion is expected to reduce carbon emissions by about 5 million pounds every year. That means less pollution in the air and cleaner skies for everyone in Pittsburgh and beyond.
The Existing Solar and Energy Setup at the Airport
Pittsburgh International Airport isn’t new to solar power. The airport already has an 8-acre solar array with around 10,000 panels as part of its larger energy system, which is called a microgrid. A microgrid is a self-contained energy system that lets a place, like an airport, generate its own power so it doesn’t have to rely on the main electric grid all the time.
This microgrid is pretty special. It produces 23 MW in total, using both natural gas and solar energy to supply all the power for the airport. In fact, Pittsburgh International Airport was the first in the world to be fully powered by a mix of natural gas and solar power on its own property. This focus on renewable energy has already paid off—the airport has saved well over $1 million every year on electricity since launching the microgrid in 2021.
Where Does the Power Go?
With this new solar expansion, things will work a bit differently than before. The older solar array and the microgrid provide power directly to the airport, letting it run everything from runway lights to security systems to baggage handling. However, the electricity from this new 4.7 MW solar array won’t be used just by the airport itself. Instead, all of the energy will be supplied to the regional electric grid through Duquesne Light Company.
This means homes, businesses, and other customers across the Pittsburgh region will get the benefit of more renewable power. As reported by VisaVerge.com, sending solar power to the regional grid turns the airport into a true partner in the area’s clean energy future, not just an energy user.
Broader Plans for Sustainability
This expanded solar array isn’t the only big idea Pittsburgh International Airport has when it comes to sustainability and thinking ahead. The airport has announced even bigger plans down the road, which include possible development of an on-site factory to make sustainable aviation fuel. This is fuel created from renewable sources instead of fossil fuels, which can help cut the carbon footprint of the airplanes that land and take off each day.
By doing things like building solar arrays on old landfills and looking at ways to make cleaner jet fuel, Pittsburgh International Airport is showing what’s possible for other airports and companies. They’re not only saving money and helping themselves, but they’re also making life better for the wider community and future generations.
The Impact on the Community and the Region
When finished, the new solar array will help bring more clean, renewable energy to Pittsburgh and its surrounding cities. This is a big deal because using renewable energy—like sunlight—helps reduce how much carbon dioxide and other polluting chemicals end up in the air. Lower emissions can mean fewer health problems for people, less acid rain, and less damage to plants and animals.
Extra solar power flowing into the region’s electric grid should also help make the city less dependent on coal and natural gas. Even though Pittsburgh International Airport will not use most of the energy produced from the new panels directly, the wider community stands to benefit in many ways:
- Cleaner air due to lower carbon emissions
- More stable energy prices because sunlight is free and unlimited
- The possibility of more jobs for the region, both in building and operating the solar array
- A chance for the city to be seen as a leader in green energy, which could draw new businesses and investment in the future
Why Airports are Important for More Than Just Flights
Airports are like mini-cities. They use huge amounts of electricity every hour just to keep everything running smoothly. Lights, computers, heating and cooling, baggage belts, and even the airplanes need a steady flow of power. When a big airport like Pittsburgh International Airport chooses to invest in renewable energy, it sends a strong message to other places that big, busy organizations can do their part to protect the environment.
By using land that was once seen as an eyesore—a landfill left over from construction—the airport is also showing other communities that every piece of land can have a purpose. This is good news for cities trying to grow in smarter, cleaner, and more responsible ways.
Looking at the Timeline
Here’s a simple breakdown of how the project will play out:
– April 29, 2025: Project officially announced
– 2026: Construction begins, using 12 acres of airport land
– 2027: Expansion finished, with 11,216 new solar panels working
This timeline keeps things moving quickly but allows for careful planning, safety checks, and making sure everything follows rules and laws.
The Role of Partnerships in Making It Happen
The whole project depends on strong partnerships. Without Pittsburgh International Airport thinking creatively about its land, DLC’s willingness to sign its first power purchase deal, and IMG Energy’s ability to build and run large-scale solar systems, none of this would be possible. Each partner brings something important to the table:
- Pittsburgh International Airport: Provides the land and leads in creative thinking about using airport properties for the public good.
- Duquesne Light Company: Acts as the crucial link connecting renewable generation to families and businesses.
- IMG Energy Solutions: Delivers the know-how to install and run complex solar fields.
This spirit of teamwork is key for future projects too, not just in Pittsburgh but in other cities looking to go green.
The Bigger Picture for Renewable Energy
Renewable energy isn’t just a buzzword. It’s about changing how we get the power that runs our daily lives. By depending more on sources like sunlight and less on coal or oil, Pittsburgh can build a future that’s cleaner and healthier. The new solar array at Pittsburgh International Airport is a direct step in this direction.
The project sets an example for other airports and big organizations by showing:
– How to turn old, unused land into something helpful
– That investing in clean power can save money over time
– That partnerships between public organizations and private companies make a difference
What Comes Next for the Airport and the Region
With this solar array expansion, Pittsburgh International Airport is making a public promise: to keep looking for new ways to use renewable energy and to make sure its work helps more than just its own property. People in the Pittsburgh area can expect:
– More clean energy headed into the regional electric grid
– Ongoing plans for green projects, like sustainable fuel for planes
– Possible growth in “clean energy” jobs in the area
The hope is that this kind of investment doesn’t stop with just one project. If the city and airport keep taking these steps, they could be among the leaders in using solar power and other renewables for years to come.
Staying Connected to Official Information
If you want to find out more about the energy plans at Pittsburgh International Airport, or about solar and renewable energy rules in the United States 🇺🇸, the official U.S. Department of Energy website is a good place to start. This site explains more about how solar arrays work and why they matter for the energy future of the country.
In Summary
Pittsburgh International Airport’s new solar array project is more than just a set of panels in a field. It’s about:
– Using land wisely by turning an old landfill into a source of clean energy
– Working closely with DLC and IMG Energy to build something bigger together
– Doubling the airport’s solar output and bringing more renewable energy to local homes and businesses
– Saving money, cutting pollution, and creating jobs
– Leading the way for other airports and cities who want to invest in their future
By focusing on renewable energy, efficient land use, and teamwork, Pittsburgh International Airport is showing what’s possible in the journey towards a cleaner, brighter tomorrow. This project will surely inspire similar efforts at other airports and big organizations in the United States 🇺🇸 and around the world.
Learn Today
Solar Array → A group of connected solar panels that generate electricity from sunlight.
Megawatt (MW) → A unit of power equal to one million watts, powering hundreds of homes.
Brownfield Redevelopment → Reusing previously contaminated or unusable land for productive development like solar power.
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) → A contract where an energy buyer agrees to purchase all power generated by a facility.
Microgrid → A localized energy system that can operate independently from the main electric grid.
This Article in a Nutshell
Pittsburgh International Airport doubles solar output by adding 4.7 MW on 12 acres of reclaimed landfill, supplying clean energy to the regional grid and cutting five million pounds of carbon emissions annually. The project strengthens regional sustainability through partnerships beginning construction in 2026, finishing by 2027.
— By VisaVerge.com
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