India is leading a solar revolution in aviation, with more than forty-four airports operating fully on renewable energy as of mid-2023. Over one hundred and twenty airports are expected to become carbon-neutral by 2025, marking a major shift in sustainable infrastructure.

The movement began with Cochin International Airport, the world’s first fully solar-powered airport in 2015. Its solar farm has grown from twelve megawatts to fifty megawatts, producing over seventy million units annually and offsetting more than 1.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. This success has inspired similar initiatives across India and abroad.

New airport designs feature rooftop solar panels, parking lot canopies, and ground-mounted arrays combined with battery storage for uninterrupted power. Surplus energy is often sold back to the grid, enhancing economic viability. Solar installations typically recover costs within four to seven years and generate new revenue streams through carbon credits and surplus electricity sales.

The solar shift also creates local employment opportunities and supports agro-photovoltaic projects that combine farming with solar arrays. Alongside energy, airports are adopting water conservation, waste recycling, electric mobility, and green landscaping to reduce their environmental impact.

Source:UrbanNews