Energy Companies Join to Expand Solar at Pittsburgh Airport

Pittsburgh International Airport, in partnership with Duquesne Light Company (DLC) and IMG Energy Solutions, a Liberty Energy company, on April 29 announced an expansion of a solar field as part of the airport’s energy innovation plans. The project marks DLC’s first power purchase agreement, boosting local energy production and economic development while making clean energy more accessible for the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania region.

The expansion will add 11,216 high-efficiency solar panels to the existing solar field, enabling the generation of an additional 4.7 MW of clean energy, and reducing carbon emissions by about 5 million pounds per year. The electricity generated from the new solar field will be supplied to the regional electric grid, providing the region with additional renewable energy and further enabling DLC’s vision of a clean-energy future.

The solar expansion is the latest energy initiative at the airport, helping maximize the property by adding to the first-in-the-world microgrid already in place. The airport also plans to produce sustainable aviation fuel on-site. The solar expansion is set to be completed in 2027 and will be located adjacent to existing solar panels just off of the airport’s exit from I-376.

“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,” said Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato. “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.”

The new solar project complements the airport’s existing eight-acre solar array by adding an additional 12 acres atop a closed landfill—land otherwise not suitable for development.

“Pittsburgh International Airport is an energy leader, and we are thrilled to partner with Duquesne Light Company and IMG for this important regional project,” said Pittsburgh International Airport CEO Christina Cassotis. “We are maximizing 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.”

The original eight acres contain nearly 10,000 solar panels as part of the airport’s 23-MW microgrid project, launched in 2021 as the first to completely power an airport through natural gas and solar energy. The microgrid increases resiliency and reduces costs.

“DLC is thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking project that highlights the vision of Pittsburgh International Airport as well as the strength of public-private partnerships in delivering meaningful progress for the Pittsburgh region,” said Kevin Walker, president and CEO of DLC. “By expanding access to clean energy for local homes and businesses, we’re helping to drive economic growth and bringing to life our vision of a more sustainable future for all. This project represents an important step in delivering more renewable energy to our communities, friends and neighbors.”

The expanded solar field will be owned and operated by IMG, with a commitment to supply 100% of its generated energy, along with the Renewable Energy Credits, to DLC. This agreement ensures that DLC can utilize the clean energy to support the electricity needs of its default service customers who do not actively select an electricity supplier outside of DLC.

“IMG is excited to build on the success of the Pittsburgh International Airport microgrid, which combines high-efficiency thermal generation with a utility-scale solar array, by more than doubling our existing solar energy production,” said Mike Brady, vice president of Power Generation Execution at Liberty Energy. “Our expertise in thermal and renewable generation allows us to seamlessly integrate solar into critical infrastructure while meeting the evolving needs of our partners. This project reinforces our commitment to delivering flexible, high-performance energy solutions that provide reliable, low-emissions power. We look forward to expanding our energy portfolio and leveraging the region’s abundant gas supply for resilient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly microgrids.”

—POWER edited this content, which was contributed by Violet PR.