Solar Powered Airport Hangar Helps Aviation Go Green

A new hangar at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, CA is helping the aviation industry go green.

Bob Hope Airport is now home to the world’s first and only (reported) solar-powered airport hangar, which made its debut last Tuesday, December 9th.

The 60,000 square-foot Hanger 25 is operated by charter flight operator Avjet. Photovoltaic solar panels on the roof provide enough electricity to power forklifts, tow vehicles and lights.

The building also provides the electricity needed to power a Boeing 757 while it is on the ground for maintenance.

Constructed from nontoxic materials, Hangar 25 feature lots of glass to allow natural sunlight into the building. It also features landscaping that is tolerant to droughts, and plumbing that helps conserve water.

The hangar, which came with a price tag of $17 million, is a joint-venture between Avjet Corp., Shangri-La Construction and the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority.

It has received U.S. Green Building Council’s highest environmentally friendly rating of LEED Platinum status, marking an important step toward a reduced carbon footprint for the aviation industry.

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