San Rafael Airport Solar Project Begins Construction

July marks the start of construction at the San Rafael Airport on the largest solar project in the county.

The nearly one megawatt photovoltaic (PV) project will employ 25 Marin County workers during its construction period and will begin supplying Marin Clean Energy customers with local, renewable energy this fall, according to a release.

When complete, the project will be the largest solar electric power installation in the county, providing enough energy to power 280 homes for an entire year and up to 1,200 customers during peak energy production. 

“The San Rafael Airport project will benefit the local economy and the environment” Marin Energy Authority Executive Officer Dawn Weisz said in a release. “A project of this size creates jobs and plays a significant role in Marin Clean Energy’s long-term local electric energy supply goals. We are excited to be working in our own community and we look forward to additional Marin projects in the future.”

Synapse Electric, a solar and electrical company with a mission to encourage sustainable building practices and renewable energy, will install the solar power system over the next several months.

The project will utilize nearly 5,000 solar panels mounted on 48 existing aircraft hangar rooftops, covering approximately two acres in total and will offset approximately 750 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

Marin Clean Energy will purchase the electricity from the San Rafael Airport project under a 20-year power purchase agreement through its Feed-In Tariff program.

“We are delighted that Synapse will help us make this project a reality,” said Robert Herbst of the San Rafael Airport. “Having a Marin-based company build this project reflects our long-standing commitment to sustainability and renewable practices in Marin.”