**Denver International Airport Expands Commitment to Renewable Energy with New Solar Array**
Whether taking off or landing, passengers at Denver International Airport (DEN) might not realize they are passing by a major hub of renewable energy innovation. Spanning over 230 acres, DEN’s impressive solar panel installations currently produce around 50 megawatts of power, much of which is used directly on-site at the airport.
“Our first array, Solar One, which is what most passengers are familiar with, was energized back in 2008,” explained Conboy. “That’s the array located between Peña and the main airport entrance. But the majority of our solar capacity is actually up north, where we have 230 acres of panels that many passengers aren’t even aware of.”
DEN has invested in solar energy for nearly 20 years as part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability and green energy. This focus on renewable energy was made possible in part by the foresight of city planners. “We do have a few fortunate things that really help us achieve such high levels of performance, and one of those is land,” said Kieler. “The visionaries in the 1980s who decided Denver needed a new airport made sure to secure enough land for long-term development, which has proved invaluable.”
This fall, the Denver City Council approved a new agreement with Oak Leaf Solar 60 LLC to construct an additional solar array at DEN. This new project will provide further clean energy to the airport as passenger numbers continue to grow.
“We just signed a contract for a new solar array, which will be the largest in the city of Denver—18 megawatts and 90 additional acres,” said Conboy.
Looking to the future, DEN is preparing for significant growth in passenger traffic with its Vision 100 and Operation 2045 strategic plans. Kieler explained that the airport is also exploring other green energy sources, such as geothermal, to supplement its solar initiatives.
“If we go back to when DEN started this journey on green energy in 2008, solar has been a great solution for nearly two decades,” said Kieler. “Going forward, we absolutely see solar as a key part of our energy portfolio, but we know we may need to expand to other green energy sources. With our fleet rapidly shifting from gas and diesel-powered vehicles to electric, our energy demands are only going to grow.”
Denver International Airport’s ongoing investments in renewable energy showcase a powerful commitment to sustainability, setting an example for airports and communities nationwide.
https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/solar-power-is-taking-off-at-denver-international-airport-heres-how-the-renewable-energy-is-being-put-to-use