SolarEdge contributes to the largest rooftop photovoltaic system in an Italian airport installed at Torino Airport

The PV installation – aimed at counteracting the CO2 emissions from the airline industry – will generate 1,585 MW of solar energy to be generated annually, with carbon emission reduction estimated to be 406 tonnes of CO2 per year – the equivalent to 13,352 new trees

July 27, 2023 – SolarEdge Technologies, a world leader in smart energy technologies, has contributed to the installation of the largest rooftop photovoltaic (PV) system in an Italian airport, recently opened by Torino Airport. The installation of the PV system is part of a wider decarbonization initiative by Torino Airport designed to counteract the CO2 emissions generated by aircraft using its runways. Consisting of 3,651 solar panels covering the passenger terminal, baggage handling system facility and technical building – a total area of 6,454 square meters – the PV installation leverages SolarEdge inverters and power optimizers, enabling the airport to maximize power production at a panel-level and uphold its stringent safety requirements.  

The new PV installation is part of the airport’s broader sustainability initiative called ‘Torino Green Airport’: a strategic environmental roadmap designed to enable the airport to counteract aircraft emissions, with the final objective to achieve net zero well ahead of the EU 2050 deadline. Operational as of this month, the new PV system is forecasted to generate 1,585 MW of solar energy annually and reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 406 tonnes of CO2 per year – equivalent to 13,552 new trees. The large-scale PV system will provide up to 12% of the airport's annual power needs, or on a sunny day, approximately 60% of its hourly energy consumption – enabling the airport to also significantly reduce their energy bills to counter high electricity tariffs. 
In charge of the PV installation was leading Italian installer and supplier of renewable energy solutions, All Energy & Architecture, who won the contract. According to the company, while maximum power production was important, meeting the airport’s stringent safety standards was a critical factor in PV technology choice.

Riccardo Betti, owner at All Energy & Architecture, said: “Key to any commercial PV project of this scale is not only ensuring that customers have the right technology to maximize energy production, but also ensuring that the highest safety standards are met. For an airport filled with passengers and staff, this was non-negotiable. This is why we chose DC power optimizers – not only to maximize energy yield, but having remote monitoring capabilities at a panel-level and integrated rapid shutdown capabilities provides customers and insurance providers the peace of mind that the most stringent safety standards are not compromised.”

SolarEdge three-phase inverters combine with power optimizers that are installed directly on solar panels to achieve industry-leading power efficiency (98.1%), enabling commercial businesses to maximize energy bill savings. In addition, the inverters are equipped with SolarEdge's advanced SafeDC™ technology, a built-in module-level safety feature that minimizes the risk of electrocution from high DC voltage. In addition, leveraging power optimizers to monitor each individual PV module allows for remote intervention and prevention of potential faults, enabling users to mitigate risk and safeguard their investment.

Lorenzo Gusman, Technical-Operational Drector at Torino Airport said: “We are very proud to have realized this new clean energy infrastructure project, which marks the beginning of the airport’s journey towards energy independence. The new PV plant represents a further step in our commitment to reduce emissions: solar energy, together with the growing fleet of airport vehicles and equipment that we are gradually electrifying, is part of a well-defined path towards our fully-green transition. We are committed to the sector’s move towards zero emissions, and confident that the aviation industry as a whole will quickly follow suit.”