Since its launch in November 2017, SMF’s solar facility provides approximately 38 percent of the airport’s energy and is the largest on-airport solar facility in California.
When commissioned, SMF set a new precedent by utilizing more solar energy for facility needs than any other large or medium hub airport in the country.
“This solar farm is a great source of clean, renewable energy that saves money and furthers SMF’s commitment to sustainable practices,” said Director Cindy Nichol, Sacramento County Department of Airports. “It’s truly a win-win scenario.”
The electricity generated by the facility is enough to power 1,600 homes a year. Projected cost savings from the project are an average of $850,000 annually throughout the 25-year term of the agreement.
The facility generates nearly 15,500,000 kilowatt-hours per year which equates to 11,535 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions expressed in carbon dioxide equivalent. The clean energy generated annually has the carbon reduction equivalent of removing nearly 2,500 cars from the road, not consuming 26,707 barrels of oil, or not burning 12,620,748 pounds of coal.
The solar farm consists of a 15-acre site east on Aviation Drive and a 20-acre site north of the runway. The facility is comprised of more than 23,000 LG solar panels mounted on NEXTracker racking that tracks the sun’s path from east to west over the course of the day, maximizing efficiency and energy production.