Leadership of the US Army’s base at Fort Hood, joined by partners Universal Services Fort Hood ("USFH"), Axium Solar ("Axium"), and SCHOTT Solar PV, Inc. ("SCHOTT Solar"), celebrated the activation of a 684 kW photovoltaic (PV) system at the base’s Liberty Village Military Housing.
The 4-acre ground-mount solar energy system will generate an estimated 1,000,000, kWh of energy annually – which is roughly 20% of the energy consumed in the 300 homes at USFH's top ranked Liberty Village. USFH financed the $3 million dollar project, and will own, operate and maintain the system.
“The future of the Army starts here at Fort Hood," said Garrison Commander Col. Mark Freitag. "Generating solar energy at military housing is a win for our soldiers, for Fort Hood, and for our larger community. We are committed to bringing renewable energy to the base and leading in the Army’s challenge for Net Zero energy."
Brian Dosa, Director of Public Works said, “Clean solar energy is an important part of our efforts to reduce Fort Hood’s dependence on fossil fuels and create greater energy security. It was important to us and to our partners that this project use solar panels made in the U.S.”
Dosa continued, “If we can generate the electricity ourselves, either through solar or through wind renewable sources, that gives us greater security and less dependence on power that’s coming from outside Fort Hood.”
Axium, a woman-owned solar EPC (Engineer, Procure, Construct) firm executed the 4-month project to install the solar energy system.
“Axium Solar is proud to have been able to design and install a project that benefits our soldiers and their families,” said Yvonne Kendrick, President and CEO of Plano, TX based Axium Solar. “Because this project is so important, we were extra diligent in our selection of partners. SCHOTT Solar is a valuable partner to us not only for the high quality panels they produce in Albuquerque, but their proven stability of their products over the life of the system. This solar energy system will produce clean energy for the Army for decades to come.”
Noted Tom Hecht, President of SCHOTT Solar PV, Inc., “SCHOTT Solar is committed to growing a strong solar industry across the United States. It is our privilege to be partnered with Axium Solar and help the U.S. Department of Defense achieve their energy security goals with proven solar technology which is also 'Buy American' compliant.”
The Department of Defense objective is to use 25% renewable energy to power its installations by 2025.