Solar Mosaic Raising Crowdfunding for Solar Panels on Military Base

         Solar Mosaic, a solar crowdfunding service, has announced that they have a project on its site that offers to fund solar energy for the U.S. Military Housing in Fort Dix, New Jersey. The project, which calls for 12,270 kilowatts, is said to be more substantial than the others currently listed. Most projects usually range from 1.5 kilowatts to 662 kilowatts. Therefore, Solar Mosaic is seeking to raise $500,000 to invest in this large project, which is being financed in partnership with CIT Group, Inc. In effect, Solar Mosaic and its investors will be funding a small portion of the $35 million project. 

         According to Mosaic's site: "The project will be installed across 547 homes, providing approximately 30% of the electricity needs to military service members and their families." This includes 55,189 solar panels. 

         The Department of Defense is actually the largest consumer of energy in the world, with an annual energy budget of $20 billion. Whether it is experimenting with renewable fuel for jets, or powering bases with solar energy, they are constantly looking for new ways to reduce fossil use. 

          In November 2011, SolarCity has created a project known as SolarStrong, which hopes to supply solar power to 120,000 military homes. Earlier this summer as well, SolarCity had announced plans to put solar panels on 7,500 military homes in Hawaii. 

          By participating in these efforts, the military is currently helping to build a market for solar power. In a May report, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) called the U.S. Department of Defense "the world's largest energy consumer and one of the greatest catalysts of technological innovation." The trade association went on to note the efficiency of renewable energy for the military: "In most cases, the military can sign on long-term contracts for solar energy that are below local retail rates for electricity."