Sun lights up Gatwick runway

Gatwick has become the first UK airport to install solar PV on site. Even more impressive, the 50kW trial installation lies just 150 metres away from the runway. Due to […]

Gatwick has become the first UK airport to install solar PV on site. Even more impressive, the 50kW trial installation lies just 150 metres away from the runway. Due to the sensitive and intricate nature of power systems at airports installing solar PV can be more difficult than usual.

Nick Pascoe, CEO of the company responsible for the build, Orta Solar said: “The system breaks new ground regarding the acceptance of airport based solar in the UK and all involved have learned a lot regarding challenges & solutions specific to the location. We’re already speaking with other leading airport groups in the UK about bring solar PV into their operations.”

The installation is the first in a series of measures Gatwick hopes to implement in reducing the airport’s carbon footprint. Those in charge want to build more on-site generation and should the solar systems work, have a larger area prepared for more PV.

Feed in Tariff payments are supplied by Good Energy Plc directly to the systems owners Blue Energy Co.

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