The worlds first fully solar powered airport Cochin International Airport is located in which country?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: India

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Airports consume a large amount of electricity, so using renewable energy at airports is an important step toward sustainable transport. Cochin International Airport in the state of Kerala gained global attention when it became the first airport in the world whose entire operations were powered by solar energy. This achievement is often tested in general knowledge exams that cover environment, energy and important Indian firsts, so candidates need to remember which country hosts this pioneering facility.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The question refers to the worlds first fully solar powered airport.
  • The airport is Cochin International Airport, also known as CIAL.
  • Options list four countries or country like entities: India, China, Dubai and Japan.
  • We assume the question is about the country in which this airport is located, not the company that installed the panels.


Concept / Approach:
Cochin International Airport is situated near Kochi in the southern Indian state of Kerala. When it commissioned a large solar power plant and became fully solar powered in terms of net energy use, it was recognised worldwide as the first airport to achieve this status. Therefore the correct country is India. China and Japan also invest heavily in renewable energy, but they do not host this particular airport. Dubai is a city in the United Arab Emirates, not even a country by itself, and its airports are not the ones described in this landmark achievement.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Note that Cochin International Airport is the example mentioned for the first fully solar powered airport.Step 2: Recall that Cochin or Kochi is a major port city in the Indian state of Kerala.Step 3: From this, conclude that Cochin International Airport is located in India.Step 4: Compare this deduction with the options and choose India while rejecting China, Dubai and Japan.


Verification / Alternative check:
International organisations, environmental awards and news reports clearly identify Cochin International Airport in Kerala, India as the worlds first fully solar powered airport. The airport has even received honours such as the United Nations Champions of the Earth award for its solar initiative. If candidates check maps or the official airport website, it is plainly located in India. These multiple independent references confirm that India is the correct choice for this question.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
China is a world leader in solar panel manufacturing and has many renewable projects, but the specific first fully solar powered airport mentioned here is not located there. Dubai is a major city in the United Arab Emirates, not a sovereign country and its airports are not the ones which hold this particular record. Japan similarly has advanced technology but does not host Cochin International Airport. Because the question pins the record to Cochin International Airport, only the country where that airport stands, India, is correct.


Common Pitfalls:
Students may overthink the problem and assume that because solar manufacturing is large in China or because Dubai is known for ambitious infrastructure, the record must belong there. Another pitfall is forgetting that Cochin is simply the anglicised spelling of Kochi, a city many candidates already know is in Kerala, India. To avoid confusion, it helps to remember the key phrase Cochin International Airport in Kerala, India and associate it with the first fully solar powered airport in the world.


Final Answer:
Cochin International Airport, the worlds first fully solar powered airport, is located in India, so India is the correct option.

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