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. The base will now have the ability to island and run electric power completely off the grid using its solar power source when needed. 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. 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. Excess energy from the bases will be redistributed to 18 000 homes in the area.

Sean sadlier the marine expeditionary energy liaison officer at camp leatherneck in afghanistan. The 5 865 solar panels that were installed were estimated to cut 40 of electricity use at shaw military housing. Combined these installations provide enough clean energy to power 22 000 american homes. Sunpower has been working on military solar projects to help provide our nation s armed forces with a reliable source of clean energy.

It s also the first military housing solar project in the state. Most military bases remain unprotected against long term interruption of electrical power. Shaw air force base was founded in 1927. The new solar panels will ease stress on the local power grid.

Only a few military bases have installed solar panel systems which generally cover only part of their loads. The military is also working on wind powered solutions for electrical energy power generation at their various bases across the nation and the world. Solar projects are also underway in a couple of other bases across the country including fort bliss in texas fort detrick in massachusetts and fort irwin in california. Military bases are using wind solar and battery storage to stay resilient in the face of extreme weather or attack.

Learn about military solar panels in our latest blog post. Fuel use is down at the company s patrol bases because the solar equipment replaces generators the military says. Learn about our latest project at vandenberg air force base in this week s blog post. Learn more about the military s use of solar.

Beyond providing fort huachuca electricity options the project promotes the u s. Army s energy security objectives.