Honeywell Completes PV Project at Luke Air Force Base (AZ)

[jpak]

http://www.solarbuzz.com/News/NewsNAPR700.htm

Honeywell has announced the completion of a photovoltaic solar installation at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona. The solar technology is integrated into a new, 144,000-square-foot roof on the Base Exchange building that will produce 375 kilowatts of electricity -- enough energy to power about 100 homes per year -- and provide decades of free, zero-emissions energy for the base.

The solar integrated roof is part of a $13.8-million energy conservation program designed to increase efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve troop comfort at the base. Managed by Honeywell, the program also includes infrastructure improvements and long-term preventive maintenance services, and is expected to save the Air Force $21.8 million in energy and operational costs over the next 20 years. The savings are guaranteed under a performance contract with Honeywell so the upgrades won't negatively impact base operating budgets.

"With the solar roof in place, Luke Air Force Base is moving closer to realizing energy management goals set forth in the Energy Policy Act of 2005," said James E. Fitzpatrick, the base civil engineer at Luke Air Force Base. "As a significant consumer of electrical power in this region, we are excited to do our part in helping the local community conserve energy resources through renewable solar technology."

Installed in two phases, the solar roof initially produced more than 122 kilowatts of power. Phase two, completed in November, added 253 kilowatts of solar capacity to help the base further offset energy costs and address federal mandates. The local utility will provide $1.5 million in rebates to help pay for the system. The solar roof also includes data acquisition technology that automatically collects information on the roof and transmits it to the base's energy management control system (EMCS) for streamlined monitoring of energy output and performance. The information is Internet accessible, allowing Air Force personnel to monitor the system from any location.

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