Chicago area airport to get solar farm

   Rockford Solar Partners, a renewable energy development joint venture between Elgin, Ill.-based Wanxiang America and New Generation Power in Chicago, received both U.S. Energy Department and Federal Aviation Administration environmental approval to start building the country’s largest commercial airport-based solar farm to be located at the Chicago Rockford International Airport.
   Rockford airport was picked for the 20-megawatt solar project because it offers 70 acres to install the solar panels, and the airport and City of Rockford are known for its other environmentally friendly practices and incentives, the companies said. 
   Wanxiang America will supply the photovoltaic solar panels from its Rockford-based solar panel assembly plant.
   The airport has recently completed several “green” initiatives, including replacing all airfield and terminal lighting with low-draw LED bulbs. It also built a 23 million gallon retention pond to collect and treat deicing fluids before being released into the river.