Solar plays a critical role in making the military’s energy supply more secure, distributed, affordable and independent. The DoD has committed to meet 25% of its energy needs with renewable energy by 2025.
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Enlisting the Sun: Powering the U.S. Military with Solar Energy
Solar plays a critical role in making the military’s energy supply more secure, distributed, affordable and independent. The Department of Defense has committed to meet 25% of its energy needs with renewable energy by 2025 and the Navy, Army and Air Force have each implemented aggressive plans that are increasing the U.S. investment in solar and encouraging innovation in the industry. As of early 2013, there are more than 130 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) energy systems powering military bases in at least 31 states and the District of Columbia. Combined, these installations provide enough clean energy to power 22,000 American homes.
Today, from security and battlefield readiness to cost savings and efficiency, America’s military is making an unprecedented commitment to renewable energy sources, and solar is “walking point” on many of these new, innovative efforts.
2013 Clean Defense Summit
The 2nd Annual Clean Defense Summit is one of the year's premier forums bringing all branches of the military together with industry to focus on advancements in clean energy, alternative fuels, energy efficiency, and environmental clean-up with the U.S. Department of Defense.
Long-term clean energy contracting for federal agencies helps to create private-sector jobs, shift federal energy use away from foreign sources, hedge against rises in electricity rates and reduce federal electricity expenses.
SEIA Statement on Nationwide Military Solar Energy Project
Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), released the following statement after today's announcement by Energy Secretary Chu of a $344 million loan guarantee from the Department of Energy to support a national solar energy project on military homes. The "SolarStrong" project proposes to install solar photovoltaic systems on 160,000 military homes on 124 bases in 33 states. Project partners include installer SolarCity and Bank of America/Merrill Lynch. SolarCity plans to fill as many as possible of the estimated 3,000 jobs created under this project with U.S. veterans and military family members.