Biggest U.S. solar PV install underway at Air Force base
April 24, 2007Nellis Air Force base solar system is to save more than 25 percent of power use.
Construction has begun on the largest solar photovoltaic system yet built in North America. And it's being built on an Air Force base outside Las Vegas.
Spearheading the project is a team that includes the United States Air Force, Nevada Power Company, MMA Renewable Ventures, a subsidiary of Municipal Mortgage & Equity, and PowerLight, a subsidiary of SunPower Corporation.
The system will generate in excess of 25 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually and supply more than 25 percent of the power used at the Nellis Air Force base.
Occupying 140 acres of land leased from the Air Force at the western edge of the base, the ground-mounted solar system will employ an tracking system by PowerLight to follow the sun.
Approximately 70,000 solar panels are to capture up to 30 percent more energy than an equivalent ground-mounted fixed-tilt system. The energy generated will support the more than 12,000 military and civilians at Nellis who are responsible for Air Force advanced combat training, tactics development and operational testing.
MMA Renewable Ventures will finance, own and operate the landmark system and sell the power to Nellis under the terms of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
\"The Nellis solar power plant is the start of the way ahead for future DoD and community partnership,\" said Col. Michael Bartley, commander of the 99th Air Base Wing at Nellis. \"The base will benefit from the energy produced, the environment benefits from using clean solar energy, and we may even test state-of-the-art security measures at the site. This is a good thing for everyone.\"
\"The Nellis solar system is our latest commitment to a set of solar power projects. In total, Nevada Power will generate more solar electricity per capita than any utility in the nation. The project accelerates Nevada Power's compliance with our solar power goals six years ahead of schedule,\" said Walter Higgins, Chairman and CEO of Sierra Pacific Resources, the parent company of Nevada Power.
Nellis Air Force Base is called the \"Home of the Fighter Pilot,\" as it's home of the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center. With five wings and more than 150 aircraft, the Warfare Center is responsible for advanced combat training, tactics development and operational testing. The Center also conducts worldwide combat operations with the Predator unmanned aerial vehicle.
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