U.S. Air Force will Install New Solar Power Storage System

          In yet another demonstration of the U.S. military's transition to renewable energy, the Air Force Research Laboratory is eyeballing a computer center in Hawaii to demonstrate an advanced system for collecting, storing and using solar power. The aim is to show that solar power can contribute to a seamless energy management system for a sensitive, high-demand facility. If the pilot project is successful, it could be implemented at other Department of Defense facilities worldwide and make its way into the civilian sector as well.

Proposed AESM system

           Of all the 50 states, however, Hawaii is the most vulnerable when it comes to fossil fuel dependency and it is also the site of key Department of Defense facilities, notably Pearl Harbor, so the state's transition to locally harvested fuels is a vital national defense issue as well as a boost for consumers and businesses beset by high fossil fuel costs. In that context, it's little wonder that Hawaii was chosen as the shakedown site for the new Advanced Energy Storage and Management (AESM) system.
           AESM also dovetails with another solar project the computer center is pursuing, the Maui Solar Initiative. This will consist of a proposed 1.5-megawatt, 13-acre solar farm located nearby. Aside from reducing fossil fuel dependency in Hawaii, the project is expected to save big bucks for the Air Force, which according to hpcwire.com, currently foots the center's annual electricity bill of more than $3 million.

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." 

New Solar Energy Generator installed inside Fiji!

Bernadette Careon - Fourth Estate Cooperative Contributor

Suva, Fiji (4E) - Fiji got a new commercial solar power generator.

Sunnergise, the new Pacific-wide renewable energy company, marked the completion of its inaugural installation at Port Denarau Marina on Thursday.

According to Fiji news, the system is the largest solar installation for a marina anywhere in the world, and was also Fiji's largest on-grid commercial solar power generator. 

"The 122 Kilowatt (KW) systems weathered Tropical Cyclone Evan intact are meeting its daily power  requirements thanks to Nadi's abundance of sunshine hours," it added.

The 333-island archipelago is located east of New Zealand and Australia and southwest of Hawaii, with only about 100 islands inhabited. The entire population is less than 900,000. 

Renewable energy has been developing in Fiji for some time now. In fact, the Fiji government has adopted a Strategic Development Plan as part of its ambitious goal to become a 100% renewable energy power-reliant by 2011.

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