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DIA's Massive Solar Panel Project Is Just A Start

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Jun 15, 2008 4:52 pm US/Mountain

DIA's Massive Solar Panel Project Is Just A Start

Reporting
Howard Nathan
DENVER (CBS4) ― Denver International Airport is going green thanks to one of the largest solar panel projects ever.

The solar panel system to be used by DIA in August is 11 football fields long by 4 wide and unlike fixed position solar panels, this version follows the sun.

"We're providing a 2 million watt, single access tracking system that tracks the sun from east to west throughout the day," construction manager Mike Vazzano said.

Vazzano of Worldwater Technologies says the panels will provide 2 percent of the annual electricity DIA needs to light and move anything it wants, or handle 4 percent of the daily peak power demands. It's not a lot, but it's a start.

"I think it's worthwhile because I think it sends a good message, even though it's only 4 percent, you know you've got to start somewhere," said airport patron Lesley Bruns from Centennial. "I would hope they would increase it."

The panels, made by Sharp Electronics, capture just 15 percent of the sun's rays, and yet more than 50 percent efficiency is predicted.

"I would say within the next 5 to 10 years we will start seeing leaps and bounds in efficiency technology," Vazzano said.

But for now, the electricity channeled by the solar panels will be sold through Xcel Energy to DIA at a fixed price for 25 years.

"It's a must for everybody to look at the greener options in life and DIA just to put it out there so everybody can see it, it's the way to go," Denver resident Gary Schlessman said.

"It benefits the taxpayers by reducing the city and county's energy load for the airport," Vazzano said.

The solar panels are expected to reduce carbon emissions in the air by more than 5 million pounds a year.

The project is part of the Xcel Energy Solar Rewards program.

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