The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has issued a tender for 100 kW of grid-connected rooftop solar project to be installed under capital expenditure model at Pune airport’s terminal building. The scope of work includes the site survey, shadow analysis, complete design for optimal uses of space, engineering, manufacture, supply, storage, testing, and commissioning of the grid-connected rooftop solar PV project. The work also includes operations and maintenance of the project for five years. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 12.34 million. The time frame for the completion of the project is four months. The last date for the submission of bids is October 7, 2019.
The aviation industry, which is highly carbon intensive and heavily dependent on oil and gas for flight operations, is facing increasing pressure to clean up its act when it comes to climate change. However, airplanes are not the only cause of a negative environment impact but airports are equally responsible. As airports expand, so does their carbon footprint, with more energy required to power new terminals, ground transport vehicles and the creation of infrastructure. Many airports across the world are, therefore, incorporating greener elements into their designs and operation strategies, as well as implementing eco-friendly initiatives. These include the use of recycled materials, water harvesting and a move towards use of fewer plastics. In the energy pace, a shift from conventional energy to solar energy has been most popular.
List of solar projects at select airports
| Airport | Details |
| Cochin International Airport | • 40 MW solar capacity installed
• EPC was undertaken for 9.9 MW by Sterling and Wilson (7.5 MW grid-connected PV and 2.4 MW rooftop carport) and 12 MW by Bosch • Project cost for Sterling and Wilson was Rs 507 million |
| Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport
(Kolkata) |
• 15 MW solar capacity installed
• EPC was undertaken by Sterling and Wilson • Project cost amounted to Rs 900 million |
| Hyderabad International Airport | • 10 MW solar capacity installed
• EPC undertaken by Enerparc • Project outlay was Rs 250 million |
| Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi) | • 7.84 MW solar capacity installed
• EPC undertaken by Enerparc • Cost of the project came to be Rs 470 million |
| Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai | • 4.6 MW solar capacity installed on BOO model
• Sunshot developed the project |
| Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru | • 3.35 MW solar capacity installed
• Solar project developed by the following: o Phase 1: 3.35 MW by Sunshot o Phase 2 (open access): 20 MU from Bosch, 20 MU from CleanMax |
| Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad | • 730 kW solar capacity installed
• EPC undertaken by Prozeal • Rs 33.6 million was the project cost |
| Pune International Airport | • 300 kW (phase 1) + 100 kW (phase 2) solar capacity installed
• EPC undertaken by: o Phase 1: Varchasva Industries o Phase 2: Renxsol Ecotech • Rs 127 million and Rs 117.5 million was the project cost respectively |
| Chennai International Airport | • 1.5 MW solar capacity installed
• EPC undertaken by Relyon Solar |
| Shri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar | • 400 kW capacity installed
• Project cost was Rs 23.7 million |