Ross Wilkers
The U.S. Army dedicated a solar power system built by a Siemens-led team at a launch and testing range on Tuesday, Siemens announced.
Siemens Government Technologies, the company’s federal business organization, along with subcontractor Solaria Corp. and Bostonia built the solar photovoltaic system at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico in eight months.
Under a $16.8 million energy performance savings contract, Siemens maintains and operates equipment and sells generated energy to the range at the same rate paid to the local utility.
The Army owns renewable energy credits and uses them to meet federal mandates, the company said.
“Through this energy savings performance contract, the value of sustainability is measured not just in terms of financial
benefits, but benefits to maintaining mission readiness, and the preservation of options for the Army’s future,” said Judy Marks, president and CEO of Siemens Government Technologies.
Marks said the company is aiming to help the Defense Department achieve energy efficiency, security and independence.
President Barack Obama has directed agencies use the energy savings performance contracts to make $2 billion in energy efficiency upgrades over the next year (our sister site ExecutiveGov has coverage of that directive, here).
Solaria provided technology for the 4.1-megawatt ground-based tracking system.
“This is an exciting project for the U.S. Army,“ said Col. Leo Pullar, garrison commander. “A sunny location like New Mexico provides an ideal site for solar power.”This project illustrates the U.S. Army“™s commitment to going green, our focus on operating on net zero energy, and doing what we can to help protect the environment.“
Siemens says White Sands’ power system will generate nearly 10 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year and help save up to $930,000 per year.
The system also contains a 375-kW carport and will provide 10 percent of total power at the range, intending to cut carbon emissions by 7,400 tons per year.
