Denver International Airport, the largest airport by area in the nation at 53 square miles, has a sizable footprint. Constructed in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the complex replaced Stapleton airport, a smaller facility closer to downtown Denver. The fact that the airport was built approximately 20 miles from downtown, 15 miles beyond the original airport, increases travel time and consumption of gasoline required to travel to and from the site. In addition, Denver’s light rail was not extended to the current location. To help reduce the amount of energy imported, a 2-megawatt photovoltaic system was installed last Fall. The installation is estimated to produce 3 million kilowatt hours of energy each year. Covering 7.5 acres, the system will remove the equivalent of 6.3 million pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This system helps increase the airport’s energy independence and acts as a point of differentiation for the airport. Consisting of nearly 10,000 panels, the system produces roughly half the energy needed to run the underground trams that ferry passengers between terminals and the main building.

MMA Renewable Ventures, a ten year old company, constructed the system. According to their website, MMA Renewable Ventures

coordinates the financing, installation, and operation of renewable energy systems and energy efficiency projects. As a comprehensive power solutions provider, we partner with investors, energy project developers, and customers to design and implement innovative green energy solutions. Our mission is to deliver exceptional investment opportunities while providing competitively priced renewable energy and energy efficiency products.

Projects like this one help to increase energy independence as well as demonstrate the viability of solar energy systems as a supplement to existing sources of electricity generation. In this case, a photovoltaic system makes perfect sense in the sunny environment where land is abundant.

- Eric Wilson