George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, US is to install state-of-the-art solar panels, heaters and chillers that will reduce emissions by up to 60%.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted $8.8m to the City of Houston Department of Aviation for the installation.

The two grants – which are part of the FAA’s airport improvement programme (AIP) – will be used to buy the equipment and install it in the facility’s central operating plant, which regulates heat and air conditioning in all five airport terminals.

The equipment will be built to order and delivered early next year with the project scheduled for completion in 2011.