TALLAHASSEE, FL. (WTXL) - The Tallahassee International Airport may soon be home to a solar farm.
Airport Director Chris Curry says, the FAA found no objections to the solar farm project, because of where the land is and the cost of rent they will be getting from the solar farm company, the project is acceptable.
Rent paid to the airport will be $60,000 a year and will then be reevaluated and adjusted every 5 years. The next step is to finish out the environmental assessment period which ends on August 12, 2016.
The solar company Origis will construct the facility, own it and operate it. The city will buy 100% of the electricity. Most electricity used now comes from natural gas. Having the solar will be beneficial because of the cost certainty over 20 years. Natural gas often goes through price fluctuations so the city knowing what they will be paying for the solar electricity over the next two decades is a good deal for the city's customers.
Curry says, this is just one of many different ventures they are involved in to continue bringing revenue to the airport outside of air traffic, which often times can be difficult for airports to find.
