Photovoltaic energy storage for military use

Should the military use solar?

As the American electrical grid shifts toward renewable energy, it’s expected that the Armed Forces would do the same — and a good number already have solar and storage on base. Keeping the lights on is especially important to the military, and solar has proven to be a viable means to do so.

What does a solar array do for the Navy?

The solar array is powering the Navy’s Human Resources Center of Excellence, a post-graduate program for members of the Naval academy. Mid-South employs 7,500 personnel, both military and civilian. Billy Ludt is senior editor of Solar Power World and currently covers topics on mounting, installation and business issues.

What is the first military solar project in South Carolina?

It’s also the first military housing solar project in the state. Shaw Air Force Base was founded in 1927. Ameresco installed a 5.5-MW solar system and a 4-MW/8-MWh battery storage system at the United States Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island (MCRD PI), South Carolina, as part of an energy efficiency overhaul at the base.

Does a base need a large solar PV system?

The systems all require large utility-scale solar PV. The area required for such large solar PV is not expected to be an issue at a base like Fort Bliss or Holloman AFB, but a base like Patuxent River NAS might not be able to accommodate such a large solar PV, which requires 414 acres.

Can a solar PV system reduce dependence on diesel fuel?

This study found that eliminating dependence on diesel fuel would require 100–400 acres of available land, a requirement easily met at some but not all military installations. The size of the required solar PV can be reduced by deploying a hybrid system with a small amount of diesel generation.

What if only 300 acres are available for solar PV?

If only 100 or 200 acres are available for solar PV, Antora Energy’s BESS duration would need to be increased to thousands of hours. If only 300 acres are available a system can be designed with a positive NPV but roughly a third of the unconstrained result. The required BESS are large, multimegawatt batteries with multiday durations.