Cochin International Airport Runs Entirely on Solar Power

COCHIN, Cochin International Airport has become the world's first airport to run entirely on solar power. The airport, in Kerala, meets all its energy needs from its own solar plants, according to NDTV. The airport's solar journey began with a small 100 kWp plant in 2013. Today, it has a 12 MWp solar plant spread over 45 acres. The plant generates about 50,000 units of electricity daily, more than the airport's daily consumption of around 48,000 units. The surplus is fed into the Kerala State Electricity Board grid.

The airport's solar plant was built in phases. The first phase, a 100 kWp plant, was installed on the rooftop of the arrival terminal in 2013. The second phase, a 1 MWp plant, was set up in 2014. The third phase, a 12 MWp plant, was commissioned in 2015. The plant is located near the airport's cargo complex. It uses 46,150 solar panels. The airport also has a 1.1 MWp solar plant on the rooftop of the departure terminal.

The airport's solar plants have helped it save money. The airport used to spend about Rs 30 crore annually on electricity. Now, it saves that amount. The airport also earns revenue by selling surplus power to the state grid. The airport's solar plants have also helped reduce carbon emissions. The airport claims it has reduced carbon emissions by over 3 lakh tonnes, equivalent to planting 30 lakh trees.

The airport's solar success has inspired other airports in India. The Airports Authority of India has asked other airports to follow suit. Several airports, including Kolkata, Chennai, and Jaipur, have started installing solar plants. The Cochin airport's model is being studied by other countries as well. A team from the United Nations has visited the airport to study its solar model.

The airport's solar plants are not without challenges. The plant requires regular cleaning to maintain efficiency. The airport has a team of workers who clean the panels. The plant also requires a large area of land. The airport has used land that was otherwise unused. The airport's solar plant is a testament to the potential of renewable energy in India.

"We are proud to be the world's first fully solar-powered airport," said a spokesperson for Cochin International Airport. "This is a big step towards sustainable aviation."

The airport's solar plant is expected to generate 18 million units of electricity annually. The airport plans to expand its solar capacity further. It is also exploring other renewable energy sources, such as wind and hydro power. The airport's success shows that large infrastructure projects can run on clean energy.