Tampa International (TPA) and Tampa Electric Co. have announced an agreement to install a canopy of solar panels on the top floor of the airport’s south Economy Parking Garage.
The 2-megawatt project will be Tampa Electric’s largest solar photovoltaic installation and its first foray into utility-scale solar power. The panels will produce enough electricity to power up to 250 homes, according to airport and company officials.
“This is the next big step in Tampa Electric’s renewable portfolio,” says Gordon Gillette, president of Tampa Electric. “We are proud to be a partner with the airport and others in the community through a variety of solar projects and rebates, and we believe renewable energy has an important role in our energy future.”
Tampa Electric will own the array, and the electricity it produces will go to the grid to benefit all 700,000 of the company’s customers, including the airport. Construction is scheduled to start in a few months and be completed by the end of 2015. The company will pay $15,000 annually to lease the space. The Hillsborough County Aviation this week voted to approve a 25-year initial lease agreement.
