Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport

This is one of those projects that makes you stop and smile. Balance Solar collaborated with the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield, Illinois to finance a massive 2,882 kW DC (2.88 MW) ground-mounted solar array. Once the 6-year Prepaid PPA term is complete and ownership transfers to the airport, it will be the largest "airport owned" solar array in the entire state of Illinois.

The scale is impressive: row after row of solar panels stretching across open land adjacent to the airport's hangars and facilities, quietly generating approximately 3,900,000 kWh of clean electricity every year. During the PPA term, the project improves the airport's operating budget, and after the transfer, it becomes a long-term revenue generator. It's the kind of deal structure that makes everyone involved proud.

By partnering with Balance Solar, the airport authority was able to monetize Federal Investment Tax Credits that were historically inaccessible to government entities — a game-changer for the project's financial return.

And then came the awards. The Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport solar project won state, local, and national recognition, including the Aviation Pros Sustainability Business Project of the Year. To put that in perspective, this award typically goes to nine- and ten-figure construction projects at major hubs like O'Hare, Atlanta, and LAX. The fact that a solar project in Springfield took home the honor speaks volumes about the creativity of the deal, the dedication of the airport team, and the real-world impact this installation is making.

For Balance Solar, this project is a flagship — proof that bold thinking and smart financing can turn a municipal airport into a national leader in sustainability.