Harris Miller Miller & Hanson Inc. (HMMH) has been selected by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop a solar guidance document for airports. The guide will be in the format of a handbook or FAA Advisory Circular and be the central reference for airports interested in exploring the potential benefits and costs of solar energy. The guide will:
* Provide baseline information on solar technology and applications for airports
* Describe FAA requirements and procedures to ensure that a proposed system is safe and poses no risk to pilots, controllers, or airport operations
* Review economic factors and business arrangements that make solar projects cost-effective
* Illustrate the unique opportunities associated with solar generation at airports through case studies of existing installations and reference materials supporting their success, and
* Detail how FAA funding programs can aid project development
In all, the guidance will provide a comprehensive, clear, and readily usable source of information that airport sponsors can apply to their evaluation of solar potential.
The FAA expects to make the Solar Guide available to airports by the end of 2010.