Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

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As the aviation industry steps up efforts to decarbonize, solar power is increasingly among the steps being taken by FBOs, airports, aircraft operators, and maintenance providers to move the dial. Solar panels are being installed at multiple sites as part of a wider approach to decarbonizing operations that also includes improving the energy efficiency of facilities and enabling aircraft operators to have access to sustainable aviation fuel.
Last year, specialist supplier Solivus installed solar panels on the hangar roofs at the London-area business aviation hub <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2023-10-12/uks-farnborough-airport-go-solar">Farnborough Airport</a>. These are now meeting around 25% of the facility’s power needs, and the company has made similar installations in the west of England at Cotswold Airport, which is also used by private aircraft operators, as well as supporting Air BP with infrastructure projects.
At London Biggin Hill Airport, Bombardier last year made a significant investment to install 3,000 solar panels across its 250,000 square foot service center. The photovoltaic system can generate more than 1.133 kilowatt hours of power, providing for around one third of the facility's electricity needs and reducing its annual carbon emissions by up to 252 metric tons.
On the other side of the Atlantic, Signature Aviation has installed solar power provision at 13 of its FBOs at U.S. airports. The ground handling specialist has installations at five more sites at various stages of construction, including at its UK base at London Luton Airport.
The Luxaviation Group’s FBO at Lanseria International Airport in South Africa makes extensive use of solar power. Panels have been installed on its buildings and some of its ground support equipment.
On March 26, Luxaviation introduced what it said is the industry's first real-time carbon calculator as part of its private aviation services app. This now features live emissions tracking, as well as instant carbon offset purchases and options to select blends of sustainable aviation fuel through the Europe-based group's Green Legacy platform.
UK-based Solivus handles all aspects of installing solar power infrastructure, also taking responsibility for commissioning the equipment (including connections to the power grid), operations, maintenance, and reporting monthly energy generation. The group says it is seeing increased demand from the aviation industry.
According to Solivus’ business development manager and environmental advisor, Charlie Armitage, around 40% of commercial buildings cannot support the weight of the required number of solar panels. The company has developed lighter panels that equate to a weight of about 3.5 kilograms per square meter, compared with typical installations of between 10 and 15 kilograms.
Panel construction uses silicone wafers around 2 millimeters thick that are encased in polymer, compared with the more usual 2 centimeters. Importantly in airport environments, they are designed to minimize glare and glint with a surface that is wrapped in plastic. Armitage explained that Solivus bonds the panels directly to the roof surface with no penetration, which he said is advantageous for expensive or critical infrastructure.
Even in the UK—a country not noted for its high levels of bright sunshine—Solivus believes there is potential for solar power to cover higher proportions of energy needs if more panels were installed on buildings. The company has looked at ground-mounted panels at airports but found that customers were reluctant to commit out of concern that this might compromise future expansion plans.
According to Armitage, the typical payback period for customers investing in its technology is five to seven years, with the equipment covered by a 25-year warranty. In some countries (but not the UK since 2019), solar customers get paid for electricity they supply back to the grid.
<h2>Solar Is Part of Signature’s Green Power Plan</h2>
For FBO group Signature, solar power is a key facet of its roadmap to achieving net-zero carbon by 2050. There are two interim steps, starting with cutting 29% of Scope 1 and 2 emissions by the end of 2025 and then achieving a 50% reduction by 2030. Scope 1 covers energy used directly by the company for applications such as running ground support equipment, while Scope 2 covers energy that a company buys from utilities to run its facilities.
Heather Frost, the group’s director of environmental and sustainability programs, explained to AIN that installing solar infrastructure at locations where it is appropriate is one of three main aspects of its “green power” strategy. It also purchases renewable energy where it is available from local utility companies—for example, in Colorado—and purchases credits for renewable energy, but only when it is solar- or wind-generated.
Other green power initiatives at Signature include improving water-use efficiency at FBOs through measures such as improving the efficiency of heating and air conditioning, installing insulation in buildings, and replacing windows. The company has also been electrifying its fleet of ground vehicles and increasing its use of carbon credits and offsets. In 2022, it achieved operational Scope 1 and 2 neutrality for greenhouse gas emissions across its global network.
According to Frost, the availability of solar power at the first 13 FBOs where Signature has made the investment has stabilized now. At all of these sites, it is now selling power back to the grid.
“I am proud to work for a company that is focused on taking action toward internal and external climate goals and that looks at how our achievements in this area impact airports and communities,” Frost commented. “Sustainability is viewed as a journey at Signature, and it is embedded in decision-making across the company. Collaboration within Signature and with industry leaders, regulatory agencies, and professional organizations is essential as we continue to make transformative changes and collectively work to decarbonize aviation.”
In 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded Signature its Green Power Leadership Award to recognize its commitment to renewable energy and sustainable practices.

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In this article

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