Airport/Aircraft Solar Glare and Line-of-Sight Analysis
HMMH was engaged by the Port of Seattle (Port) to assess opportunities to supply solar photovoltaic (PV) energy to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). A Preliminary Solar Assessment Study was conducted to look at options for siting solar panels at SEA and to investigate alternatives for procuring solar power from off-site locations.
Initial screening of on-airport locations was performed. Current and future uses of airport properties were considered, and ten sites at which solar PV development might take place at SEA were identified. Preliminary design concepts were developed for each location and analyzed in more detail, including analysis of Port electric supply in those locations, current and future uses of the sites and environmental considerations. Based on costs of similar projects, preliminary design costs were prepared and provided to the Port.
HMMH performed a preliminary evaluation of several different opportunities for off-site project development which might provide renewable energy to the Port of Seattle in support of its renewable energy and carbon emission reduction goals.
In addition, the Port requested that HMMH assess the potential for utilizing solar PV electricity to heat water using resistance heaters in the hot water system for sites identified on or immediately adjacent to buildings at SEA. HMMH prepared a white paper providing an overview of the types of solar PV technologies to heat water along with comparisons to traditional solar PV grid installation, costs, potential carbon dioxide offsets, and locations at the Port where this technology could be implemented.
