Data points for building solar farms at airports

Image courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com
Image courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com

Have mentioned some of this before, but will post again to keep track of it.

12/3 – The Million Dollar Way – Minneapolis Airport Solar Project Twice The Quoted Rate for Solar Energy Projects at $7 Million / MW; No Problem – Increased Landing Fees – No One Will Notice

Two Minnie solar projects on top of parking garages at the airport.

The newer facility:

  • 3 MW in 8,705 panels
  • $20M cost
  • $6.7M / MW

Previous project:

  • 1.3 MW
  • $8.5M cost
  • $6.5M / MW

Milwaukee airport:

  • 1 MW covering 5 acres –
  • $6M estimated cost
  • $6M / MW

A consultant to the airport calculated the payback time is 75 years. The panels will have to be replaced two or three times by then.

Here are just a few of the many data points I’ve been accumulating. From 4/5/14:

  • $0.75M / MW – natural gas peaker turbines
  • $0.88M/ MW – gas turbine
  • $2.5M / MW – wind
  • $2.0M – $2.5M / MW – wind

Now you know why the photo above is of a super rich dude lighting a cigar with a hundred-dollar bill.

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