US Navy launches its first solar-powered EV charging station
30 May 2013
Naval Support Activity (NSA) Mid-South officially welcomed into service the US Navy’s first solar-powered electric car charging station. The carport will enable NSA Mid-South to recharge its current fleet of 17 electric vehicles with renewable electricity in approximately four hours, while reducing demand on the commercial power grid.
In addition to charging vehicles connected through either 110V or 220V plugs, the carport will also provide excess electricity to the local power grid, further reducing the base’s electricity costs.
The 150-foot-long panel structure tilts automatically to track the sun and includes several safety features to protect against high wind or lightning strikes.
Public Works Department Mid-South will monitor the carport’s production via a Web-based system and will rely on the base operations support contractor to maintain the individual solar arrays and components over its expected 25-year lifespan.
NSA Mid-South’s carport is part of an ongoing $10-million CNIC project to install seven sites with E85 alternative-fuel stations; nine sites with solar carports; and five sites with stand-alone electric vehicle charging stations at Navy installations in the US. Construction began in March 2013, and was completed in late April. Since then, the carport has successfully generated enough electricity to power more than 60 typical homes for a day.
Good way to invest Mil $$?
Posted by: HarveyD | 30 May 2013 at 11:30 AM
http://www.seia.org/research-resources/enlisting-sun-powering-us-military-solar-energy-2013
Posted by: ai_vin | 30 May 2013 at 12:50 PM
ai vin - great link.
Posted by: kelly | 30 May 2013 at 12:57 PM
Those instalations saving very little or no oil. When using PHEV or EREV vehicles in combination with solar pannels in war zones could bring economic and military effect.
Posted by: Darius | 31 May 2013 at 08:14 AM
From ai_vin's link:
"In October 2012, the Navy announced the completion a 14-MW PV project at the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in California, its largest operating solar project to date."
China Lake is very remote, having power even during an outage helps. The military has been used to secure oil for decades, maybe they see the link between energy and security.
Posted by: SJC | 31 May 2013 at 06:38 PM