California-based Jet Source aviation center (Booth No. 6041), celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year, is looking to the future by increasing its use of solar power.
The company announced yesterday that it will be installing a solar-powered system, similar to the one that powers its Carlsbad, Calif. FBO, at its second facility in Henderson, Nev. The state-of-the-art Nevada facility is set to open in 2009 and will consist of two 35,000-sq-ft hangars and an executive terminal with a VIP room and concierge-style services for customers. One hangar will be dedicated to aircraft management and charter operations, and the second will support Jet Source’s avionics and maintenance operation.
According to Jet Source, the California facility is the only FBO in the country to be powered by solar energy. The system was introduced in 2005 and includes a lighting and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system designed to reduce overall energy use by 50 percent. According to the company, the system has saved Jet Source more than 90 percent on energy bills. The FBO has also been able to contribute additional electricity to the grid at peak hours of the day, when energy is in high demand, to reduce what the company calls “rolling brownouts” for the surrounding community.