SunEdison, a leading worldwide solar energy services provider and subsidiary of MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc., was awarded a ground-mounted 14.5 megawatt (MW) solar service contract with Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (DMAFB) in Tucson, Arizona.
The 14.5MW solar installation is made possible through a solar power service agreement in which SunEdison will finance, design, construct, operate and maintain the approximately 130 acre ground-mounted solar deployment. SunEdison will also maintain a long-term ground lease agreement with DMAFB for the use of their land for the solar installation. In return, DMAFB will purchase the energy produced from the solar power plant to offset their demand from the grid at long-term predictable energy pricing. There are no upfront costs required from DMAFB for the solar deployment.
"With our strong financing capabilities and our track record of timely large-scale deployments, SunEdison is able to provide smart solar solutions with no upfront capital costs and long-term predictable energy pricing," stated Jaime A. Smith, Vice President of Sales for SunEdison. "SunEdison is proud to be awarded this contract and looks forward to working with DMAFB to the completion and activation of the solar power plant."
When completed in 2011, the 14.5MW solar farm will produce approximately 31.5 million kWh of energy annually and over 575 million kWh over twenty years. That is enough energy to power over 53,000 homes for one year. It is expected that once completed, the 14.5MW solar power plant will deliver 35% of DMAFB's total base load of energy.
"This project highlights not only the Air Force's commitment to renewable energy but also Arizona's commitment to renewable energy," said Col. John A. Cherrey, 355th Fighter Wing commander. "Several years of industry and government teamwork was required to bring this renewable energy project to this point. The use of emission-free solar power to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, as well as long-term savings on electricity costs, is a great benefit to the base."
and the cost per KWH to the Air Force is?
Posted by: Donald Modaro | 10/30/2011 at 07:34 AM