Do Military Bases Use Solar Panels

Duke energy installed solar panels on the rooftops of 284 homes at the shaw air force base in south carolina.

Do military bases use solar panels.

Military bases are using wind solar and battery storage to stay resilient in the face of extreme weather or attack. Coronal energy s contract with the department of defense to install a combined 1 5 million solar panels on three military bases one air force base one navy base and one army base in florida. For some platoons at remote outposts solar power is all there is said maj. Shaw air force base was founded in 1927.

Fuel use is down at the company s patrol bases because the solar equipment replaces generators the military says. Army s redstone arsenal in alabama. The department of defense has actually been in the forefront of solar technology development for a few decades now since the 1970s. Sean sadlier the marine expeditionary energy liaison officer at camp leatherneck in afghanistan.

Other significant sunpower solar military projects include. It provides more than 30 percent of the base s power needs. Learn more about the military s use of solar. According to design news reports this base is home to the american military s largest solar energy collection system.

As of early 2013 there are more than 130 megawatts mw of solar photovoltaic pv energy systems powering navy army and air force bases in at least 31 states and the district of columbia. The 5 865 solar panels that were installed were estimated to cut 40 of electricity use at shaw military housing. Most military bases remain unprotected against long term interruption of electrical power. Army s energy security objectives.

A 13 78 megawatt system at the naval air weapons station china lake in california built in 2012. The military proves otherwise. A 12 5 megawatt pv solar power plant being developed at the u s. Trump says america needs coal for grid security.

Spanning a dozen acres this solar array produces 3 200 megawatt hours mwh every year. Combined these installations provide enough clean energy to power 22 000 american homes. Beyond providing fort huachuca electricity options the project promotes the u s. The department of energy recently released a comprehensive look at the u s.

Only a few military bases have installed solar panel systems which generally cover only part of their loads. Energy grid and concluded that the military needs to rely more on solar power in order to eliminate weaknesses in the grid. It s also the first military housing solar project in the state.