Fort Polk, a US Army installation in Louisiana, is set to receive a significant boost in solar power. Onyx Renewables, a clean energy developer, has recently completed the construction of two 13-megawatt ground-mount solar projects at the base. These solar arrays are expected to go online this fall.
Despite some opposition to solar energy from certain political parties, the Army recognizes the numerous benefits of renewable energy. In collaboration with sustainable infrastructure company Corvias, the solar project at Fort Polk (formerly Fort Johnson) is part of an initiative to help the Army reduce energy costs and enhance resiliency. Through a 25-year power purchase agreement, the solar systems are designed to provide stable electricity prices for the base. In the first year alone, it is projected that the solar arrays will meet 40% of the electricity needs for on-base housing.
Spanning across 97 acres, Fort Polk’s solar arrays will be owned, financed, and operated long-term by Onyx. Additionally, plans are in place to incorporate battery storage and microgrid technology in the future to further bolster the base’s energy independence.
Kevin Cox, the Senior Vice President of Origination at Onyx, emphasized the importance of increasing onsite energy capacity with distributed resources. He highlighted that this approach not only enhances resilience across the base but also generates savings that benefit the military community stationed there.
Onyx and Corvias have a history of collaborating with the Army on similar projects, such as those at Fort Riley. Chris Wilson, the CEO of Corvias, emphasized the critical role energy resilience plays in national security. By enhancing the energy infrastructure of military installations, they are contributing to meeting the defense needs of the future.
The completion of the solar projects at Fort Polk is a significant step towards a more sustainable and resilient energy future for the US military. It showcases the commitment of both public and private entities to embrace renewable energy solutions and reduce dependence on traditional fossil fuels.
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