CHICAGO, ILL. – Chicago-area airports are getting greener with the addition of solar energy collectors to be installed on as many as 60 acres at O’Hare International Airport, alternative fuels for ground vehicles, and increased composting.
Seven ground-based solar photovoltaic collection sites are planned at O’Hare to generate 36 million kilowatt hours of energy per year, enough energy to power 3,800 homes annually. Currently, the only on-airport solar facility in Chicago is at O’Hare at the Chicago Fire Department firehouse.
Alternative fuels for private and commercial vehicles will include bio-diesel, ethanol, and electric-charging systems, as well as traditional fuel. Electric vehicle charging stations are currently provided free of charge at both the O’Hare and Midway parking garages.
Midway Airport is following O’Hare in going green with a composting program to handle food waste from the airport’s 13 restaurants. A total of 200 tons of compost waste from both airports will be diverted from landfills each year.