Cochin International becomes first solar powered airport in India

Cochin International Airport in Kerala has become the first airport in India to operate on solar power energy.

Cochin International Airport has become the first ‘absolutely power neutral’ airport in India thanks to PV (solar photovoltaic) panels laid across 45 acres of land adjacent to the airport’s cargo complex. Once fully actioned the Airport’s solar facility will provide 50,000 to 60,000 thousand units of electricity per day for the airports operational functions.

The project follows Cochin International Airport’s 2013 venture into solar power where a 100 kWp solar PV Plant was installed on the roof of the Arrival Terminal Block. Subsequently, and additional 1 MWp solar PV power plant was fitted to the roof of the Aircraft Maintenance Hangar facility and at ground level.

Both these plants are equipped with a SCADA system, through which remote monitoring is carried out. After commissioning, these plants have so far saved more than 550MT of CO2 emission contributing to the efforts of CIAL towards minimising environmental degradation.

The 45 acre solar panel installation is expected to generate around 48000 units per day, which along with the electricity generated from the existing 1.10 MWp plants, would be sufficient to meet the power requirement of the Airport.