Solar project for [Air Force] base a 'win, win'

Valley Press on ^ | Thursday, July 30, 2009. | ALLISON GATLIN

[BenLurkin]

EDWARDS AFB - Some 120 representatives of solar energy firms turned out Tuesday to learn about an opportunity to lease as much as 3,280 acres of Edwards Air Force Base property for a solar power plant.

The industry day, in which participants toured the site at the northwest corner of the base and learned about the lease procedures and project requirements, is the first step of a lengthy process that officials hope will result in a utility-grade solar power plant to supply energy to the public electrical grid.

The project would operate under the Air Force's enhanced-use lease program, which allows the Air Force to offer under-used land for private-sector activities that would benefit the military and the public.

The parcel offers some attractive features for a solar power plant, including abundant sunshine; flat, uninterrupted land; a government-secured property; and proximity to transmission, natural gas and water lines.

The site is far from the active flightline and runways, and is not directly beneath the primary flight paths, although aircraft will pass overhead from time to time.

The offer does not specify the type of solar energy production technology to be used, only that it not interfere with the base's mission of flight test.

The nature of that flight test and its compatibility with large-scale solar power plants was the topic of many of the developers' questions Tuesday.

The frequency and strength of sonic booms and other noise associated with cutting-edge flight test was a concern for the effects on mirrors and such, as well as possible reflection from mirrors.

Base officials noted that a large power plant north of the base near Kramer Junction has worked in harmony with the same conditions for many years, with no adverse effects to either the plant or the Air Force.

[willgolfforfood]

Great idea! Might was well do the very same thing at “Area 51” in Nevada. Probably lots of places in the west and southwest where this is feasible.

[johnandrhonda]

I read about this in the newspaper weeks ago—project cost $100 million and will save “about $1 million” per year.
And this is under ideal conditions in the desert with “free” labor of military personnel and maintenance, and on a huge expanse of otherwise worthless land. Try repeating this grand experiment anywhere else—near any major city.
(Instead of KP duty, you now get to clean the glass panels in the 110 degree heat).
Just another way to waste taxpayers money in the pursuit of some green wet dream.

[LuxMaker]

There is more than just the financial cost to consider. Namely redundancy in critical systems. Also as these are implemented the cost will come down for everyone.

[ASOC]

Nellis is run from solar

see
http://www.metaefficient.com/news/north-americas-largest-solar-electric-plant-in-switched-on.html

“The plant, which cost $100 million to construct, covers 140 acres of land at the western edge of the Nellis base. The company that owns the panels is leasing the land at no cost, and Nellis is agreeing to buy the power for 20 years at about 2.2 cents/kWh, instead of the 9 cents they are paying to Nevada Power, saving the Air Force $1 million each year. None of the $100 million cost came from the Air Force.”

and

http://energypriorities.com/entries/2008/10/nellis_afb_finance.php

with this in the piece
http://energypriorities.com/entries/2008/10/nellis_afb_finance.phpAccording to the enerG article, “A new twist for solar power,” MMA owns and operates the project, and takes advantage of the 30 percent federal investment tax credit (ITC), something the Air Force couldn’t do because they’re a non-tax-paying entity.

Investors who provided the $100 million needed for Nellis needed to have a collective tax bill of $30 million to take full advantage of the ITC.

or
My Country Tis of Thee
Sweet Land of Subsidy
Of Thee I sing....