A solar energy system has been under construction since September of this year at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, Colombia. It is currently billed as the largest photovoltaic project in Latin America, according to local and international media outlets such as El Tiempo and EFE.
Set to begin operations in the first quarter of 2019, the installation will feature over 10,000 solar panels and have a capacity of 2,800 kWp. It will generate 3,815,000 kWh annually, equivalent to the energy consumed by 1,590 homes. Additionally, the project will use 89.4 km of cabling—a length comparable to the distance between Bogotá and Villavicencio.
The panels will be installed on the airport roof, covering an area of 27,000 square meters. Designed with advanced solar cells, they will be capable of generating power even in low-light environments. They will also feature “4 Busbar Solar Cell” technology, which combines aesthetics and efficiency. Given the weather conditions in Colombia's capital, the panels are engineered to withstand wind loads of up to 2,400 Pascals and 5,400 Pascals of snow, fog, and ammonia loads. Furthermore, they will feature an anti-glare system to prevent reflections.
To generate power, the panels absorb sunlight, which then passes through inverters. These convert the captured energy into conventional electricity. From there, the power is directed to electrical panels across the airport's grid, where it will be distributed to various points.
According to the official press release from El Dorado Airport, the project will generate 30 direct jobs. On the environmental front, it will reduce CO2 emissions by 1,375 tons—equivalent to the amount of oxygen produced by 76,000 mature trees. Furthermore, the system will supply 12% of the terminal's energy consumption while enhancing grid stability by regulating available power.
Lastly, the solar panels are made from recyclable materials, further reducing the carbon footprint. On an economic level, the system will also offer more competitive rates than conventional power.
Via El Dorado, El Tiempo, and EFE.
This article was written by Stefania Alvarez. The translation is powered by AI.
