Do Military Bases Use Solar Panels

The military proves otherwise.

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. 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. Military bases are using wind solar and battery storage to stay resilient in the face of extreme weather or attack. Shaw air force base was founded in 1927.

The new solar panels will ease stress on the local power grid. Most military bases remain unprotected against long term interruption of electrical power. Only a few military bases have installed solar panel systems which generally cover only part of their loads. Beyond providing fort huachuca electricity options the project promotes the u s.

Army s energy security objectives. Combined these installations provide enough clean energy to power 22 000 american homes. 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. Spanning a dozen acres this solar array produces 3 200 megawatt hours mwh every year.

A 12 5 megawatt pv solar power plant being developed at the u s. Other significant sunpower solar military projects include. Learn more about the military s use of solar. A 13 78 megawatt system at the naval air weapons station china lake in california built in 2012.

It s also the first military housing solar project in the state. Army s redstone arsenal in alabama. The department of energy recently released a comprehensive look at the u s. The 5 865 solar panels that were installed were estimated to cut 40 of electricity use at shaw military housing.

The base will now have the ability to island and run electric power completely off the grid using its solar power source when needed. Trump says america needs coal for grid security. It provides more than 30 percent of the base s power needs. The department of defense has actually been in the forefront of solar technology development for a few decades now since the 1970s.

According to design news reports this base is home to the american military s largest solar energy collection system. For some platoons at remote outposts solar power is all there is said maj. Sean sadlier the marine expeditionary energy liaison officer at camp leatherneck in afghanistan.