Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWR) on Feb. 22 dedicated a 5.4 MW SunPower solar power system. According to a joint press release from both parties, the system is expected to generate the equivalent of 51 percent of the electricity demand at the airport's rental car center, two East Economy parking garages and toll plaza, saving $4.7 million over the next 20 years.

SunPower installed SunPower E20 solar panels at three rooftop locations. The system construction was completed in two months at the end of 2011.

The project was facilitated in part by Arizona Public Service Co.'s (APS) Renewable Energy Incentive Program, which offers financial incentives to customers that help to offset up to 40 percent of the costs of installing solar energy.

The airport has a solar services agreement with SunPower, which designed and built the system, and is operating and maintaining it.The renewable energy credits (REC) associated with the energy produced by the system will be transferred to APS in fulfillment of the state's renewable energy standard and tariff.

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