Denver International Airport. Artist rendering of solar arrays to be built by WorldWater & Solar Technologies Corp.

A 2-megawatt solar-energy system coming to Denver International Airport in mid-2008 will generate 3.5 million kilowatt-hours of clean energy annually - roughly half the power needed to run the airport's train system.

It will be among the largest airport solar-panel systems in the country and will reduce carbon emissions by more than 5 million pounds each year, according to MMA Renewable Ventures and WorldWater & Solar Technologies, the companies behind the project.

MMA will finance and operate the WorldWater-built system and sell power to DIA under a 25-year, $10.9 million contract. The city will likely exercise an option to buy the system after five years for $8.1 million, DIA spokesman Chuck Cannon said.

The ground-mounted system, which comes with a 25-year warranty, will be located on 7.5 acres at the main terminal entrance. It will be a tracking system, which means the roughly 9,800 solar panels will follow the sun's movement for maximum power generation. The project will receive a $200,000 cash rebate as part of the Xcel Energy Solar Rewards program.