Solar panels rise on Fort Bliss homes: Step to energy self-sufficiencyFeb 27 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - David Burge El Paso Times, Texas
Fort Bliss on Tuesday took a step forward with its plans to one day be self-sufficient in energy, waste and water. A ribbon-cutting was held at the La Noria neighborhood in South Fort Bliss to recognize the first round of homes that have received solar panels. Thirty-four housing units -- consisting of eight four-plexes and two single-family homes -- have received solar panels so far, said Aaron Gillmore, vice president of solar development with SolarCity, a San Mateo, Calif., solar company. Plans call for 4,400 homes at Fort Bliss and White Sands Missile Range to get solar panels in the next three years, Gillmore said. Combined, developers said, this will be the largest solar-powered community in the world. The project will move forward no matter what happens in Washington, D.C., with the defense budget and sequestration, said Doug Howard, lead project director for Balfour Beatty Communities at Fort Bliss and White Sands. The project is a private partnership between Balfour Beatty and SolarCity, and the venture isn't receiving government funding, Howard said. It will outfit a combination of new and existing homes with solar panels. Howard declined to say how much money would be invested. Balfour Beatty has been running family housing at Fort Bliss and White Sands since 2005. "This is our initial step in helping Fort Bliss with those goals" of being energy self-sufficient by the end of 2018, Howard said. This initiative is often called Net Zero in Army terminology. "I'm really excited," Howard said. "We are honored to be partners with Fort Bliss in this area." When completed, the project will generate a peak capacity of 13.2 megawatts of power and will provide the homes with 25 to 30 percent of their total annual energy consumption, including nighttime and winter uses, Gillmore said. Maj. Gen. Dana J.H. Pittard, commander of Fort Bliss and the 1st Armored Division, said he had three goals when he took over at the installation in 2010 -- to have the best prepared soldiers for combat, improve the quality of life for soldiers and their families and create a Net Zero community. The dedication of this first round of solar-powered homes pushes the second and third goals ahead but also supports goal number one of having the best prepared soldiers, Pittard said. "Soldiers know their families are living in a great community," he said. "It allows soldiers to be focused." David Burge may be reached at dburge@elpasotimes.com; 546-6126. Follow him on Twitter @dburge1962 http://www.energycentral.com/functional/news/news_detail.cfm?did=27736286
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