US Military awards new solar energy contracts to developers

Army Corps of Engineers issues 22 new contracts for solar energy systems

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded Multiple Award Task Order Contracts to a group of 22 solar energy developers. These contracts have been issued as part of the Renewable and Alternative Energy Power Production of the Department of Defense. The federal agency considers energy to be a matter of national security and has been working to distance the U.S. from foreign sources of fuel in an attempt to make the country more secure.

Solar is second form of energy supported by federal initiative

Solar energy is the second of four forms of clean power that are being highlighted by the Renewable and Alternative Energy Power Production initiative. As a whole, the initiative allots $7 billion for the research and development of clean technologies. Geothermal was the first form of clean energy that was supported through the initiative and various geothermal energy development contract were issued by the Army Corps of Engineers in May of this year.

Contracts will help bolster the military's use of solar energy

The new contracts will be used to produce reliable solar energy systems for military installations. The energy generated by these systems will be obtained by the military through power purchase agreements. The Army Corps of Engineers expects that these power purchase agreements will be in place for approximately 30 years, providing the military with a reliable renewable energy source during that time. Solar energy is currently one of the most widely supported forms of clean power within the U.S. military.

Solar proves popular with the Army

The U.S. Army is currently congressionally obliged to receive no less than 25% of its energy from renewable sources by 2025. Thus far, solar energy has managed to attract a significant level of the Army's attention and solar energy systems are being used domestically and abroad. Solar systems are being installed in military homes throughout the country in an effort to cut the military's use of fossil-fuels.