Floating solar panels help airport produce more energy than it consumes

Located on a golf course lake, the panels are connected to the state electricity board to help power India’s Cochin International Airport

Spotted: India’s Cochin International Airport is now producing more energy than it uses. Thanks to the recent installation of two additional solar plants, the airport complex produces 40 MWp per day. As a public-private partnership, the airport achieved a world’s first in 2015 when the company installed a dedicated solar power production facility.

Completely run by sustainable energy, the airport complex includes a golf course and exhibition centre. The golf course contains 12 lakes and uses treated sewage from the airport for irrigation water. Two of the lakes are now home to 1300 photovoltaic panels that cover an area equivalent to one acre. The installation of the floating solar farms adds a further 452 KWh to the airport’s energy production capacity.

Both sets of floating panels are connected to the Kerala State Electricity Board power grid. Since the airport now produces more energy than it consumes, the company has the potential to earn money from its on-site energy production.

Floating solar panels are beginning to emerge as a popular option for organisations and locations with limited access to open land. One example recently spotted by Springwise is Singapore’s use of its reservoirs to increase the country’s energy production and storage capabilities.

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