Executive Director Benjamin Leischner says the 8 million dollar project is owned by a private company called Solar USA, based in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. State and federal tax incentives will allow it to make money while supplying the airport with power.
"This project is a great example of a public-private partnership that cost the airport literally nothing. It was through federal and state incentives that really embrace renewable and clean energy and we were just fortunate enough to pick the right partners at the right time."
Leischner says the solar panels will supply half the airport's energy needs now, but within just a few years it could increase to 70 per cent or more, with potential cost savings of millions of dollars over the next 25 years.
Al Busano, President of Solar USA, says this is the fourth largest solar airport project in the country. And his company has completed similar projects for several local governments, schools, and companies in Illinois.