Tucson Airport Authority approves land lease with TEP for a 5MW solar PV installation

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The Tucson Airport Authority (TAA) and Tucson Electric Power (TEP) will be coming together for a second time since 2007 for the installation of a solar energy project. TAA’s board of directors approved a 20-year land lease with TEP, where TEP will pay a fixed rental rate of US$46,716.50 per year to lease 50 acres of land south of the Tucson International Airport.

The leased land will have a 5MW solar PV array built upon it with Solon acting as the contractor and suppler of the solar modules. The lease calls for two five-year options with the single axis tracking solar PV system expected to start operation by the end of 2011.

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“This is really a triple win for Tucson,” said Bonnie Allin, TAA president and CEO. “The project is a compatible use for airport property, it is adjacent to a major power distribution site for TEP, and will generate power for residents in Pima County.” 

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