Air Force to quadruple its solar energy production

  • Published
  • By Jennifer Elmore
  • AFCESA
HQ AFCESA --  For nearly three years, a 14.2-megawatt solar array spanning 140 acres at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., has held the title of the largest renewable energy project in the Air Force. Hundreds of media outlets have published stories featuring the vast display of solar panels, and President Obama visited the site last year. Now the Air Force is set to outdo itself with plans to build three new solar arrays by 2013 that are as big as or bigger than the current Nellis project.

Three bases in the Southwest could soon have the largest Air Force solar arrays. They are Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Luke Air Force Base, and Nellis Air Force Base, which has plans to expand.

Davis-Monthan officials awarded SunEdison a solar photovoltaic utility contract in September. The base plans to purchase electricity from a 14.5-megawatt photovoltaic solar array to be constructed, designed, owned, operated, and maintained by SunEdison on 130 acres of under-utilized base property. Engineers expect the array to deliver 35 percent of the energy needed to operate base facilities.

"Several years of industry and government teamwork were required to bring this renewable energy project to this point," said Col. John Cherrey, 355th Fighter Wing commander. "The use of emission-free solar power to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, as well as long-term savings on electricity costs, is a great benefit to the base."

Luke officials have teamed up with Arizona Public Service Company to build a 15-megawatt solar array on 100 acres of under-utilized base property. The project could produce enough energy to satisfy 50 percent of the base's energy needs and save up to $10 million on utility bills over 25 years, according to Lt. Col. John Thomas, commander of the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron, which maintains and develops base facilities.

While Davis-Monthan AFB and Luke AFB could soon have the largest renewable energy plants in the Air Force, with 14.5 and 15 megawatts respectively, the distinction may be short lived. Air Combat Command and Nellis AFB leaders have plans to construct a 17-megawatt phase-two project in 2012 to add to the 14-megawatt array built in 2007.

"The focused efforts of the skilled and professional Air Force renewable energy program team over the last several years are beginning to deliver a large increase in the number and capacity of renewable projects in the pipeline," said Mr. Ken Gray, Air Force Facility Energy Center Renewable Energy Branch Chief. "More ideas move into the planning stage every day."