Zestec Renewable Energy, part of Octopus Energy Group has installed 3,023 solar panels at aircraft business, Bombardier’s London Biggin Hill Airport service centre.
The solar photovoltaic (PV) system will generate 1,133,000kWh in its first year, lowering Bombardier’s annual carbon emissions by 252 tonnes.
The new system will also offset their costs by £85,000 in the first year of generation.
Since installing rooftop solar at an airport has added risks compared to a usual rooftop system, Zestec has taken extra precautions to ensure safety.
The 1.25MW PV system is designed to ensure there is no glint and glare for planes landing on the airport runway.
The installers also had to account for the risk of falling objects, which is common around airports and birds flying into the solar panels.
They have installed netting at the perimeter to avoid attracting birds and creating risk to jets.
Bombardier’s goal is to achieve a 25% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 relative to 2019 levels.
