In a historic decision that combines green stewardship and energy ingenuity, Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) became fully energy independent by converting an old landfill site into a state-of-the-art solar energy hub. Not only does this show the strength of adaptive reuse but also makes PIT a world leader in sustainable airport infrastructure.
From Trash to Electricity: Landfill Renewal
The addition of solar array throughout the 12-acre closed landfill consists of mounting 11,216 solar panels, with a total addition of 4.7 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy. When combined with existing solar on the airport campus, PIT is now generating 7.7 MW from solar power alone—enough to power the entire airport terminal and supporting facilities.
“This is not only about green energy—it’s about being smarter with the resources we already possess,” Pittsburgh International Airport CEO Christina Cassotis stated. “Land that was once unusable is now an asset that generates power. We’ve taken a literal dump and made it something that fuels progress.”
The expanded solar will lower greenhouse gas emissions by more than 5 million pounds a year—the equivalent of removing nearly 500 cars from the road.
Generating Power for an Airport with a Microgrid
PIT has operated the first-of-its-kind microgrid at a major U.S. airport since 2021. The system uses natural gas and solar power to generate 23 MW of electricity—enough to light up over 13,000 residential homes.
This standalone power system isolates the airport from outside grid outages and has already proven essential during local blackouts. “Airports must operate 24/7. Having our own microgrid provides resiliency in the face of increasing climate and infrastructure threats,” stated PIT’s Chief Development Officer April Gasparich.
The microgrid, comprising five natural gas-fired generators and multiple battery storage units, also enables future incorporation of renewable sources such as wind and hydrogen.
Local Impact and National Recognition
PIT’s energy self-sufficiency has attracted the interest of other airports and energy professionals nationwide. It was a finalist for the FAA’s 2024 Sustainability and Innovation Award and has drawn delegations from more than 20 nations researching the microgrid and solar conversion system.
“It’s not just about Pittsburgh. We’re showcasing what’s possible for infrastructure across the U.S.,” said Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato. “This project is a blueprint for other municipalities trying to transition to clean energy while also maximizing underutilized land.”
Furthermore, the expansion has generated local economic benefits. Construction of the solar array provided over 150 temporary jobs and opened new contracts for Pennsylvania-based renewable energy firms.
Beyond Solar: Greener Horizons for Aviation
While the solar and microgrid systems have received the most attention, PIT’s green ambitions extend beyond them. Along with CNX Resources, the airport is testing a plan to process natural gas into jet fuel. This has the potential to lessen dependence on traditional fossil fuels and lower airline emissions considerably.
“PIT is ideally situated to be a hub not only for travelers, but for innovation in the aviation industry,” said CNX’s Chief Sustainability Officer Erin Westrick. “By generating sustainable aviation fuel on-site, we hope to make air travel cleaner from takeoff to landing.”
Moreover, PIT is also investing in electric ground support equipment, replacing older gas-powered equipment with EVs and incorporating smart-grid charging stations powered by its solar panels.
A Model for the Future
The conversion of a landfill to a renewable energy hub is an inspiring image of what can be achieved in the battle against climate change. Amidst a world where air travel is being criticized for its footprint, Pittsburgh International Airport has made a concrete answer—and demonstrated that sustainable aviation facilities can be useful and profitable.
By diminishing its reliance on external power supplies, creating clean energy from wasted space, and developing plans for alternative fuel research, PIT isn’t just preparing the future—it’s building it.
While other airports throughout the world are looking on, Pittsburgh is an exemplar of resiliency, sustainability, and forward-thinking.
