El Paso International Airport has turned two sizzling parking lots into a dual-purpose power plant and shade factory, flipping the switch Wednesday on massive new solar canopies that airport leaders say will cut energy use and keep cars from roasting in the West Texas sun. The combined arrays cover more than 144,000 square feet and pack about 5,200 photovoltaic panels, which are expected to deliver roughly 2.9 megawatts of capacity. Airport officials say the setup should offset about 22% of the airport’s annual electricity use and trim a hefty chunk off the terminal’s power bill.
What was built and where
The new solar-topped structures sit above the airport’s Rental Car Center and the Premium Reserved Parking lot. Together, those canopies hold roughly 5,200 panels and about 2.9 megawatts of capacity, making the effort one of the largest municipal solar projects in El Paso, according to KFOX14/CBS4.
Funding and federal support
City of El Paso records show the rental-car canopy was…..