JFK Airport going solar with SunPower, Goldman Sachs' help

US company SunPower Corp (NASDAQ:SPWR) will install 13 MW of solar power capacity and 7.5 MW of energy storage at John F. Kennedy International Airport under a project led by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

The Port Authority said on Monday that the solar major will serve as the project developer and contractor. Goldman Sachs Renewable Power Group, the financial partner, will hold the power purchase agreement (PPA).

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The JFK International Airport Solar Photovoltaic Project at Building 141 and Long Term Parking Lot 9 will avoid 6,699 tonnes of annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It supports the Port Authority’s efforts to cut its emissions by 35% by 2025. The agency also targets an 80% GHG emissions reduction by 2050.

“As the first transportation agency in the country to embrace the Paris Climate Agreement, the Port Authority is committed to integrating clean energy technology at all of its facilities,” chairman Kevin O’Toole said.

As part of the project, small businesses and residents near the airport will be able to get renewable electricity at discounted prices. BlueWave Solar will facilitate this process, managing the associated subscriptions and billing.

The Port Authority noted that the project includes 6.1 MW of community solar capacity.

Last week, Cardiff Airport in Wales announced that it would partner with Cenin Renewables to have 2 MW of solar capacity installed in the next 18 months. This project will reduce the carbon emissions of the airport by 860 tonnes per year.