Largest solar panel in Washington to fly in Arlington

ARLINGTON — A new partnership at Arlington Airport will use solar energy to generate green savings — both energy and cash.

As announced Monday, the city’s airport has partnered with Veregy, a decarbonization company that focuses on smart building and clean energy technology, to create a state-of-the-art solar installation. It includes car canopies covered with solar panels and solar panels on the roof of the terminal building, making it the largest installation of its type in Washington.

Airport officials say the installation, costing about $668,000, will start generating savings on July 8. The solar panels are expected to generate nearly 145,000 kWh of renewable energy annually and reduce CO2 emissions by over 2,500 metric tons over the course of the project.

“The savings over time will be extraordinary for the airport, for our tenants and users, and for the city,” airport director Marty Wray said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Veregy expects to recoup its investment in just over 11 years. Part of the project was funded by a $250,000 grant from the state Department of Transportation. The airport was expected to receive at least 30% of the project cost savings from the federal government through tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act.

This isn’t the only major solar project in Arlington.

In 2021, the Snohomish County Public Utility District deployed a $12 million, 500-kilowatt microgrid near the airport.