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Solar array to reduce Luke's electric bill
Posted 3/8/2010 Updated 3/8/2010
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by Airman 1st Class Melanie Iannaggi
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
3/8/2010 - LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz -- The 56th Civil Engineer Squadron at Luke Air Force Base is currently exploring ways to reduce the multi-million dollar electric bill and 'go green' with plans to build one of the largest solar arrays in the Air Force by December 2011.
According to 2nd Lt. Christopher Warshaw, 56th CES Energy Projects manager, Luke Thunderbolts use more than 60 million kilowatt hours of electricity each year to support the mission.
"And, costs continue to expand," he said. "Currently, the base spends more than $5 million on electricity and most of the electricity used is not generated in a 'green' way."
Solar energy was chosen because it is abundant, Lieutenant Warshaw said.
"The 56th CES evaluated different solar generation technologies before settling on an option that could provide the maximum electrical generation with the least interference to the mission," he said. "After reviewing several opportunities across the base, the 116-acre parcel of land south of Super Sabre Street and west of Ammo Road was chosen as the future site for the Solar Array. Much of the land is in a flood plain making it difficult to use for other purposes."
This site is estimated to generate about 17 Mega Watts of direct current and, if completed, would bring many advantages to Luke, Lieutenant Warshaw said.
"The Environmental Policy Act of 2005 states that by 2025, 25 percent of our energy must be from renewable sources," he said. "By constructing the solar array we will be generating close to 50 percent of our peak electrical demand and will be able to continue mission critical functions during widespread power outages. Also, by entering long term contracts, the base should have stable electrical rates which would save millions of dollars."
Once the environmental analysis is completed, 56th CES will start clearing the site for construction, Lieutenant Warshaw said.
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