Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport (SPI) has received the 2024 Airports Going Green (AGG) Award, a prestigious recognition presented during the annual AGG Conference hosted by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) in partnership with the Chicago Department of Aviation, O’Hare, and Midway International Airports. The award honors SPI’s exceptional commitment to sustainability, innovative practices, and leadership in green energy initiatives.
Introduced in 2010, the Airports Going Green Awards™ celebrate excellence in sustainability within the aviation industry. SPI was recognized in the Outstanding Sustainability Infrastructure Development category for its Energy Savings Project, a groundbreaking effort to minimize environmental impact through sustainable design and construction.
Project Highlights
2.88 MW Solar Array: A combination of ground- and roof-mounted solar installations.
$6 Million Investment: Supported by funding from the Illinois SREC program and third-party financing through Balance Solar.
Significant Cost Savings: Expected to save $6.7 million over 20 years, with a 30-year projection of $14.1 million in revenue and savings.
Environmental Impact: A meaningful reduction in the airport's carbon footprint.
This recognition builds upon a growing list of accolades for the airport. In 2023, SPI received the IPAA First Ever Sustainability Award and the AAAE GL Airfield Project of the Year Award for airfield modernization. Additionally, SPI was featured in Airport Improvement Magazine for best practices in solar implementation and economics and named the 2024 Sustainability Project of the Year by Airport Business Magazine.
The solar project, constructed by Veregy, has been pivotal in the airport’s sustainability success. By reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources, it serves as a model for airports worldwide. Mark Hanna, SPI’s Executive Director, highlighted the collaborative efforts behind the project.
“We are incredibly honored to receive the 2024 Airports Going Green Award,” said Mark Hanna. “This award is a testament to our continuous effort to lead the way in sustainability and environmental stewardship in the aviation industry. Our team and partners like Veregy have worked diligently to implement innovative solutions that align with our long-term sustainability goals.”