Malaysia’s first airport solar power system to save $627,000 in annual energy costs and 18,000 tonnes of CO2
Thu 6 Feb 2014 – Malaysia Airports has unveiled the country’s first airport solar power system at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The 19 megawatt interconnected system – the largest of its type in Malaysia – is designed to generate more than 26,000-megawatt hours of energy per year and reduce CO2 emissions by 18 million kilograms per year. Based on current energy costs, the combined solar power systems are expected to save the airport around RM2.1 million ($627,000) annually. To generate the maximum amount of energy from the limited space available, a solution was found to install ground-mount, parking canopy and rooftop systems. The installation was carried ou by solar technology manufacturer and provider SunEdison.
Utilising airport rooftop space and land surrounding the airport allows electricity to be generated at the point of consumption, which further improves efficiency by removing the need for transmission lines, said Malaysia Airports, which operates and manages the country’s 39 airports.
“Rooftops, parking lots and ‘buffer’ areas at airports are traditionally not multi-purpose facilities, but we’ve turned them into a clean energy generation facility,” said Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad, Managing Director of Malaysia Airports. “This project also demonstrates our support towards the government’s initiative in introducing renewable energy and also to further reduce our carbon footprint.”
The systems use SunEdisonSilvantis Solar PV modules, which are designed for maximum efficiency and durability and the SunEdison Renewable Operation Center will provide round-the-clock management and monitoring services.
“In working with Malaysia Airports, we were able to help them gain economic benefit from an under-utilised asset they already had,” said SunEdison’s president for the region, Pashupathy Gopalan. “The energy savings, combined with the positive environmental contributions from a solar installation of this size, makes this a great step forward for the airport industry and a huge benefit for the local community.
“There is an excellent feed-in tariff programme in Malaysia and we look forward to helping additional airports in Malaysia – and around the world – use solar to save money.”
