Indian airport shines as solar-power role model

50,000 solar panels generate all the electricity for Cochin International Airport. (Courtesy of Cochin International Airport)

COCHIN, India Cochin International Airport in the south of India currently does what no other airport in the world can do: get 100% of its electricity from solar power.

That impressive feat has moved the Modi administration to augment its renewable energy policy with a call for all airports in India to install solar panels.

And with representatives from airports in other countries also coming to take a look, the Cochin model could inspire airports around the world to tap solar power for their energy needs.

To test the solar-power waters, Cochin International Airport Limited, also known as CIAL, initially installed 4,400 solar panels back in 2013. The decision to take the real plunge came this past February, and between then and August the company installed an additional 46,150 panels over an area of approximately 18 hectares.

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