Airport’s roofs will generate vast electrical power supply

Written by Miami Today on May 27, 2026

A plan to rip the roofs off the North, Central and South terminals at Miami International Airport and add $125.7 million in new roofing includes a solar voltaic system that will move the airport toward generating 7 megawatts of power, a county committee heard this month.

That equates to generating enough electricity to power 4,200 to 7,000 homes.

Asked by Commissioner Natalie Milian Orbis whether the replacement of the terminals’ roofs would end the airport’s solar panel placements, Aviation Director Ralph Cutié said more would be ahead: “We look to expand to our parking garages as well to reduce our electric bill.”

The entire process of roof replacement for the terminals is to take four years, according to a contract with Miami-based LEGO Construction Co. that the Airport and Seaport Committee endorsed last week, sending it to the county commission for a final decision.

The present roofs, about 16 years old, “have exceeded their useful life and are experiencing leaks and deficiencies that pose risks and water damage to facilities and equipment,” said a memo from county Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Morales.

The new 410,000-square-foot roof system is to get a 20-year manufacturer’s warranty.

“For now, these solar panels apply only to this project,” Mr. Cutié said. “We are looking to expand the solar panel program to also have solar panel on the roof of our Dolphin, Flamingo and our new Ibis garages as well. Ultimately, if we implement all of these phases, we’ll be generating close to 7 megawatts of power, which is a big number…. It will make us the airport with the biggest power generation in the state and it will serve to reduce our power consumption.”