White Sands Missile Range Home to U.S. Army’s Largest Solar Power System

Solar Energy to Provide 10% of Installation Power Needs

White Sands Missile Range, NM, on January 6, 2013 dedicated the U.S. Army’s largest solar photovoltaic (PV) system at White Sands Missile Range. The ceremony was led by Brigadier General Gwen Bingham, who was joined by the Honorable Katherine Hammack, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment.

Developed in coordination with the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville (Huntsville Center), Siemens Government Technologies, Inc., and Bostonia, the four megawatt White Sands Missile Range solar energy system will generate approximately 10 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually, and provide an estimated annual savings of $930,000. Complemented by a 375 kW solar carport, the solar array deployed at White Sands will supply approximately 10 percent of the total power used at the installation and reduce carbon emissions by 7,400 tons per year. Featuring Solaria’s proprietary technology, the 4.1 MW ground-mounted tracking system is also the world’s largest low concentration photovoltaic solar power plant.

“This is an exciting project for the U.S. Army,” said Garrison Commander Colonel Leo Pullar. “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.”

“We are very pleased to be inaugurating this milestone photovoltaic installation,” said Will Irby, Huntsville Center program manager. “We’re extremely grateful to the entire team, comprised of the staff from White Sands Missile Range, Huntsville Center, Siemens, their subcontractor Solaria Corporation and Bostonia, working under the leadership of Brigadier General Gwen Bingham and Colonel Leo Pullar. Everyone has done an outstanding job to bring this project to fruition.”

“Siemens is committed to helping the Department of Defense achieve unprecedented levels of energy efficiency, security and independence,” said Judy Marks, President and CEO of Siemens Government Technologies, Inc. “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.”

“The Department of Defense is deploying renewable energy and reducing its reliance on fossil fuel resources. This solar energy system demonstrates that the U.S. Government’s goals for enhancing security through energy independence can be met both economically and practically when the public and private sectors work together,” noted Dan Shugar, CEO of Solaria Corporation.

Construction of the solar power plant began in April 2012 and was completed in December 2012. The ground-mounted single-axis Solaria tracking system follows the sun across the sky, increasing energy yield by up to 30% over fixed systems. All energy generated from the project will be consumed by onsite operations.

The $16.8 million solar PV system was the primary component of an Energy Savings Performance Contract implemented by the Building Technologies Division of Siemens Industry, Inc. Under the contract task order, Siemens will maintain and operate the equipment and will sell the energy it generates to White Sands Missile Range at the same rate they are currently paying the local utility company. The Army will own the Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) and use them toward meeting federal renewable energy mandates. This project supports President Barack Obama’s directive that federal agencies use Energy Savings Performance Contracts to make $2 billion worth of energy efficiency upgrades over the next year, as well as supporting the Army’s renewable energy goals.

Sources: White Sands Missile Range, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Siemens Government Technologies, Inc., Siemens Industry, Inc. Building Technologies Division and Solaria