Con Edison Solutions – one of America’s leading energy services companies – joined with the Columbia Metropolitan Airport to launch a 4,320-panel, 1.38 megawatt fixed-tilt ground-mount solar array – the first of its kind at a South Carolina airfield.
Constructed on approximately five acres of land between two of the airport’s active runways, the solar farm is part of the airport’s Enhanced Construction Opportunities program, which includes the implementation of $60 million in capital improvement projects at the airport between 2010 and 2018. The projects are part of the airport’s effort to adopt environmentally-friendly programs while meeting its obligation to run as economically as possible by lowering energy costs.
Con Edison Solutions, a Con Edison Clean Energy Business company, is the developer and EPC (engineer-procure-construct) contractor for the initiative. The solar array is Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses’ first solar project in South Carolina and second project at a major airport, following its clean energy initiative at Newark Liberty International Airport, which was completed in April 2014.
“As one of the nation’s leading energy services companies, Con Edison Solutions is proud to have completed our first solar project in South Carolina, and we couldn’t have asked for a better partner than the Columbia Metropolitan Airport,” said Michael Gibson, Vice President, Con Edison Solutions. “While we are seeing more and more solar initiatives like this across the country, the Columbia Metropolitan Airport has set an example for airfields across the state, showing them that incorporating renewable, environmentally-friendly energy is an achievable opportunity that reaps huge rewards.”
“We’re proud to be the first airport in the state with a solar array of this magnitude and thrilled to complete this cornerstone of our ECO Project (Enhanced Construction Opportunities)” said Dan Mann, Executive Director, Columbia Metropolitan Airport
“At the intersection of its two runways, Columbia Metropolitan Airport has established the largest solar array in Lexington County and demonstrated its vision for a cleaner energy future for all to see,” said Keller Kissam, President of Retail Operations for SCE&G. “SCE&G has been pleased to partner with the airport and Con Edison Solutions on the development of this solar facility, and we’re proud that it’s helping to continue the growth of renewable energy on our system.”
Columbia Metropolitan Airport’s solar array is made possible by the SCE&G Bill Credit Agreement Program. Under this program, SCE&G will issue a monthly bill credit to the airport at a pre-defined fixed rate per kilowatt-hour generated, which is expected to produce approximately $250,000 in annual bill credits for the airport over a 10-year term.