Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), in collaboration with Duquesne Light Company (DLC) and IMG Energy Solutions, has announced a significant expansion of its solar energy field.
The project, which will see 11,216 solar panels installed on a closed landfill near the airport, forms part of the airport’s broader efforts to support regional energy resilience and sustainability.
The new installation is expected to generate an additional 4.7 megawatts of electricity, which will feed into the local power grid and reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 5 million pounds annually. The project represents DLC’s first power purchase agreement and supports its efforts to broaden the availability of renewable energy within the Pittsburgh region.
Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato said:The expansion of more than 11,000 solar panels to Pittsburgh International Airport’s existing solar field is a fantastic step toward a more sustainable energy future for
our region. I’m thrilled that our airport is an energy leader and that our local partners in DLC and IMG are able to help make important projects like this a reality.
Set for completion in 2027, the expansion will add around 12 acres of solar panels adjacent to PIT’s existing eight-acre solar array. The site selected for the new array is a closed landfill, land that is not otherwise suitable for development.
The solar power generated, along with its associated Renewable Energy Credits, will be sold to DLC under a long-term agreement. This will support DLC’s service to customers who have not selected an alternative electricity provider.
The project builds upon PIT’s 2021 launch of its 23-megawatt microgrid, which uses natural gas and solar power to fully supply the airport’s energy needs. The microgrid was the first of its kind globally to provide 100% of an airport’s power from on-site energy sources. It remains a key element of PIT’s focus on energy resilience and cost control.
The solar field expansion is part of a wider vision to use the airport’s assets in ways that contribute to regional energy strategies, including plans to explore sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production on-site. The initiative reflects a growing trend in the use of public infrastructure to support renewable energy generation and regional resilience.
Pittsburgh International Airport CEO Christina Cassotis said:Pittsburgh International Airport is an energy leader, and we are thrilled to partner with Duquesne Light Company and IMG for this important regional project. We are maximising the use of airport assets for the betterment of the region – from air service to real estate development to energy innovation and there’s more to come.
