A 21 MW solar array is powering Naval Air Station Oceana with clean, reliable electricity. 'It's important that the Navy leverage its use of energy to make us better war-fighters... And when you boil it down, [solar] improves our operational effectiveness," said U.S. Fleet Force Command Admiral Phil Davidson.
In 2014, the Solar Ready Vets program was launched to help military veterans and their spouses transition to a career in solar energy. Over the years, thousands of veterans have found careers in solar and the fourth phase of the program will expand the trend.
A 14,500 kW installation in Tucson will provide clean, reliable electricity to Davis-Monthan Air Force base. This will be the biggest solar installation on an Air Force base in the country and drop electricity prices for the base from 8.6 cents per kilowatt to 4.5 cents per kilowatt, resulting in savings of $500,000 per year.
St. John’s Housing Partnership uses solar to reduce costs at their headquarters and three of their apartment units for homeless and at-risk veterans. The rooftop solar arrays provide reliable power that’s cheaper than other electricity sources in the area, which helps the veterans save money.
Troy Van Beek, a former Navy Seal, founded Ideal Energy as a way to provide reliable rooftop solar for Iowans. Van Beek noted he sees positive effects from solar, like economic growth, resource security, and bringing communities together.
The Department of Defense announced that Shaw Air Force Base would be one of five military bases in the Carolinas that will run on solar power. This was done to ensure more reliable and resilient power for the air force base and to do so in a way that is good for taxpayers and the American economy.
Solar is investing $63 million in a new 1.2 GW solar module manufacturing plant. Founder Carlos Class, a veteran, said that the plant will hire 104 people and will partner with local universities and schools.
The DoD announced that Fort Liberty, Camp Lejeune, Air Station Cherry Point, and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base will be powered by solar projects. These solar projects will provide reliable and resilient power and help the bases serve their strategic missions.
Fort Liberty installed a 1.1 MW floating solar system to pair with a 2 MWh battery system. This saved the military base over $2 million in its first year of operation and will allow the base to remain operational during power outages.
The North Little Rock VA is adding 330 kW of solar carports. This hospital serves over one million veterans each year throughout the Southeast United States.
A 488 kW solar array is sending power to the Regional Training Institute at For Pickett. The program has a guaranteed return on investment exceeding $2.6 million over 25 years.
The U.S. Army partnered with Tucson Electric Power to Expand their solar array to 22.2 MW. This array will help the base meet their energy security goals and provide enough electricity for over 1,000 homes.
NATO headquarters added a rooftop solar project to help the organization reduce energy costs while increasing energy reliability. This rooftop array will save the organization $3 million over the project's lifespan while also ensuring the base has electricity even during power outages.
American Legion Post 58 installed a 96-panel solar system that will help reduce the electricity bill for the veteran’s association. The solar array will last for 30 years and pay for itself within the first 9, offering over $198,000 in savings.
Trident Solar's president, Matt Shorrock, is a retired Navy Seal. After leaving the military, he's embarked on a career in solar and has found success serving as the President of Trident Solar
The Nellis Air Force Base unveiled a second onsite solar project. The two solar arrays will provide enough power to provide the base with all the energy it needs, allowing the base to run during emergencies.
Camp Atterbury partnered with Duke Energy to install a solar plus storage microgrid that will provide low-cost power to the Nation Guard site. “This proposed project will increase our strategic value and give us the ability to continue our mission-critical operations in the unlikely event of a large grid outage," said Col. John Silva.
The Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training base opened a 31 MW solar project and paired it with a 41 MWh energy storage system. This will reduce electricity costs while also providing backup power to the base during emergencies for up to 14 days. This will help with natural disaster response and military training for the base.
A 139 MW solar array next to Robins Air Force Base supplies electricity to the base. This provides cost-effective electricity that can help the military meet its energy security and resilience needs.
At distant outposts in Afghanistan, solar power helped power American Special Forces soldiers. Richard G Kidd IV, an Army official, mentioned five benefits that solar brings, including allowing soldiers to spend more time on operations, reduced fuel consumption, and better relationships with local villages.
The Naval Air Station in Jacksonville is using a solar installation to help reduce energy bills associated with wastewater treatment. This will save up to $50,000 to $150,000 per year for the base
The Marine Corps Logistics Base in Barstow installed a solar array that will provide 6,800,000 kWh of electricity for the base. This will save the military $846,000 over the lifetime of the project.
Scott Air Force Base is expanding its initiatives to integrate rooftop solar systems across its facility. "“Through the deployment of solar energy systems, we can help reduce energy costs and reinvest those resources into our communities, reaffirming our commitment to military families across the United States," said John Hoyt, VP of Hunt Military Communities.
Tampa Bay Solar is a Veteran Owned Small Business and has been ranked one of the best solar companies in Florida. The company puts Veterans from all service branches together and ensures that they offer the best quality around.
Fort Rucker and Anniston Army Depot partnered with Alabama Power to build two solar projects combining for 17 MW. Fort Rucker Garrison Commander Col. Shannon Miller said, "[T]his solar project we see before us today is the first step toward energy resilience and to help us continue our mission during long-term grid outages."
Rota Naval Base, a key American Naval Station in the Mediterranean, uses 78 solar panels to power the base. This provides over 12% of the base's power, helping provide reliable power to the base even if there are problems with the surrounding grid.
Fort Johnson in Louisiana is set to receive two 6.5 MW solar installations. These installations will provide reliable and secure energy to the Army base year round.
Fort Riley in Junction City, Kansas installed solar on 350 military homes. These solar arrays total 6.4 MW, which provides 40% of the power used by on-base military housing.
Fort Bliss is the largest Army base in the United States and is powered in part by a 1.36 MW solar project. The solar power will offset the base's electricity usage, helping reduce costs for the base and provide electricity to 30,000 Texans.
Naval Support Activity Crane installed a 17 MW solar project to help increase energy security for the naval base. By agreeing to host the solar project, Duke Energy is also providing NSA Crane with a microgrid study that could help provide emergency power for the base.