Plugging In To Military Solar

Originally posted in Renewable Energy World.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) is historically one of the greatest catalysts of technological innovation. Through its procurement power alone it has the ability to transform markets.

In recent years, the Navy, Army, and Air Force each implemented clean energy targets that will drive 3 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy installations by 2025. Specifically, PV accounts for 58 percent, or 1.1 GW, of identified DOD renewable energy capacity additions from 2012 to 2017.

With this massive solar ramp-up from one of the biggest energy users in the world, the solar industry has to navigate complex financing structures used by the military for their solar projects and installations. They are using power purchase agreements, enhanced use leases, and energy savings performance contracts to meet their targets.

Dale Freudenberger President/COO and Co-Founder of FLS Energy, the company behind the largest military installation of solar at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, will be bringing his expertise to SEIA’s Finance and Tax Seminar in New York next week. The seminar will identify the critical elements of securing a successful solar deal with the military.

Here at home, the military has utilized large utility scale solar projects to power bases, as well as smaller distributed-generation systems to energize thousands of buildings and homes. To date, there are more than 130 megawatts powering the armed forces in at least 31 states and the District of Columbia.

The solar industry stands ready to help bring solar energy to America’s troops, their families, and the surrounding regions. Be prepared to plug in to these opportunities and more with SEIA’s Finance and Tax Seminar, in New York, NY, July 25-26.

Tom Kimbis, SEIA General Council and Vice President of Executive Affairs