Boise Airport Uses Solar Power For Hot Water System

Boise, ID – The Boise Airport has begun using solar power to provide hot water for a portion of the airport. The switch to solar will reduce fossil fuel use and airport emissions.

“Reducing the City of Boise’s energy footprint is a priority across all of our operations,” said Boise Mayor David Bieter. “As with most things it does, the Boise Airport is helping to lead the way in this arena. Efforts like these help ensure the sustainability of our operations and match perfectly with the values and expectations of Boiseans.”

The solar project was funded by the Federal Aviation Administration’s Voluntary Airport Low Emissions program, better known as VALE. The nearly $190,000 VALE grant covered the majority of construction costs.

"This is a pilot project for the Boise Airport”, said airport director Rebecca Hupp. “While the majority of solar projects produce electricity, this one will produce heat for hot water. The system was built so it could be easily expanded in the future. One day, the entire hot water system at the Boise Airport could be converted to solar energy.”

The system currently produces water for locations prior to the security checkpoint. Excess hot water that is produced can then be piped throughout the airport in the colder months to assist with heating the airport.

The city began implementing energy efficient projects and installing energy reduction measures over 10 years ago, and has recently set a goal of designing new city buildings to meet zero net energy and reducing energy use in existing city buildings by 50 percent by 2030. Toward this goal, the city has built several LEED certified buildings such as the Library! at Ustick, and Library! at Bown Crossing, Fire Stations #8 and #15, and the Boise WaterShed Environmental Education Center.

The City of Boise has been pursuing pro-active energy saving measures across all of its operations, including expansion of the nation’s largest direct-use geothermal energy district in and around downtown Boise. That district recently incorporated Boise State University, Jack’s Urban Meeting Place (JUMP), the Central Addition LIV District, and the new Simplot corporate headquarters. Other energy reduction strategies have included converting 400 streetlights per year to LED and adding a total of six electric or hybrid electric vehicles to the city fleet.

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About the Boise Airport
As the largest airport in Idaho, the Boise Airport provides a gateway to the entire Treasure Valley. Over three million passengers travel through the Boise Airport each year, with access to six airlines and 21 nonstop destinations.