S4GA has been named the winner of the Sustainability Innovation Award at inter airport Europe 2025, the world’s leading trade fair for the airport industry.
The award recognizes S4GA’s Solar CAT I Airfield Ground Lighting — the world’s first high-intensity airfield lighting system for CAT I airports that is fully powered by solar energy and fully compliant with ICAO requirements.
S4GA Solar CAT I combines sustainability, cost efficiency, and resilience in one system — redefining how airports approach airfield lighting. Entirely off-grid, it operates solely on solar power, making it suitable for both developed and remote locations. The system requires minimal maintenance, supporting airports with limited technical resources, and fully aligns with global environmental and carbon reduction goals.
From a financial standpoint, Solar CAT I offers up to 40% lower CAPEX and 80% lower OPEX by removing the need for trenching, cabling, CCRs, and electricity consumption. With proactive monitoring via S4GA’s ALCMS, airports avoid unplanned downtime and costly repairs. The S4GA system can save airports around €2.8 million in infrastructure and maintenance costs over 15 years.*
*Estimate based on a 3,000 m runway with high-intensity runway lights, single-ended CAT I approach, 2× PAPI, and a small taxiway. For a cost analysis tailored to your airport, please contact S4GA.
In addition to its sustainability advantages, Solar CAT I enhances operational safety and reliability. Each light unit operates on its own solar-powered energy source, making the system fully independent from external power failures. Its wireless control replaces CCRs and underground cables, eliminating single points of failure common in traditional AGL networks. This architecture ensures uninterrupted operation, even during power outages or infrastructure damage.
Together, these features make Solar CAT I a new benchmark in sustainable, safe, and cost-effective airfield lighting — offering airports true independence from the electrical grid.
For nearly five decades, inter airport Europe has been a central meeting point for the global airport community — celebrating innovation and collaboration across all areas of airport technology.
S4GA is deeply honored to receive the Sustainability Innovation Award, a recognition that underscores our position as an industry leader in solar airfield lighting and our long-term commitment to developing innovative, safe, and environmentally responsible airfield lighting solutions. This achievement is especially meaningful for our team — it validates years of research, field testing, and collaboration with airports worldwide to make solar-powered CAT I lighting a practical reality.
The award highlights not only the innovation behind Solar CAT I but also S4GA’s broader mission: helping airports operate safely, efficiently, and independently from external power infrastructure. For our team, it’s a proud moment that reinforces the value of challenging conventions and proving that sustainability and high performance can go hand in hand.
Contact us to discover how your airport can benefit from a fully solar-powered CAT I lighting system.
