Solar panels at Nellis could be win-win

[unhappycamper]

The photovoltaic array at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., which went live last month, will provide about a quarter of the base's annual energy needs.


Solar panels at Nellis could be win-win
By Seamus O’Connor - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Nov 19, 2007 13:21:48 EST

Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., is now home to North America’s largest solar power array — and it didn’t cost the Air Force a dime.

The photovoltaic cell farm is the product of a unique arrangement between the Air Force, energy corporations and the state of Nevada. On paper, the project will save the Air Force money while proving profitable to all commercial parties involved.

And it’s supposed to cut air pollution, too.

The array comprises about 70,000 solar panels made of silicon crystals that convert sunlight directly into electric energy. The panels rotate 30 degrees throughout the day to collect maximum light. Some panels are even “bifacial,” meaning the backs of the panels are coated in crystals, too, to collect light reflected off of the hard desert earth, said Michelle Price, base energy manager with the 99th Civil Engineer Squadron.

The system’s maximum output is about 15 megawatts, enough to fill about one-quarter of the base’s needs annually, Price said.

“Times of day it’ll be more, times of seasons of the year it’ll be more,” she said.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2007/11/airforce_nellis_solar_071119w/

[LiberalEsto]

1. Hey, that's great

You have to start somewhere, and eventually it will spread as costs come down.