 |
Navy and Marine Corps housing units in the San Diego area will receive rooftop solar PV systems through a purchase power agreement between Lincoln Military Housing and SolarCity. The deal, one of SolarCity’s largest residential undertakings under its SolarStrong Initiative, will provide solar power to nearly 6,000 homes across 27 privatized neighborhoods, with pending design and interconnection approvals could generate 20 MW or more of solar energy.
“Securing renewable energy is a top priority across the Department of the Navy and is crucial to ensuring both mission resilience and cost savings in the decades to come,” said Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy. “This agreement is another step forward in moving the needle on our 1 GW goal. We will continue to push forward and ensure projects like this are identified and executed to meet our 2015 deadline.”
Jarl Bliss, president of Lincoln Military Housing added, “Through this agreement with SolarCity, Lincoln projects savings of at least $60 million over the 20-year term that can be reinvested in project sustainment.”
San Diego Family Housing, LLC comprised of Lincoln/Clark San Diego, LLC and Department of the Navy (DON), has agreed to purchase all electricity produced by the systems at below the cost of brown power over the 20 year term of the agreement — resulting in long-term savings which will be reinvested in the communities, providing military families residing in the Public Private Venture housing with an improved quality of living.
SolarCity will be responsible for the design, installation, monitoring and maintenance of the PV systems, and this project is part of SolarCity’s SolarStrong initiative to provide solar energy to military housing communities across the country. SolarCity currently employs more than 300 veterans.
“These projects on off-base military housing represent a great step forward in helping the Department of the Navy reach their ambitious renewable and energy independence goals,” said Assemblymember Kevin Mullin (D-San Mateo) who pushed for legislation this year to clear the path for more clean energy development at California military bases. “This collaboration between SolarCity and the Department of the Navy will improve energy security, increase our energy independence, and provides another example of how innovative companies can partner with government agencies to lead this state and the nation toward a cleaner economy.”
This project is also part of a larger, guided effort spearheaded by Secretary Mabus to identify cost-effective renewable energy projects for DON installations in order to achieve the Secretary’s goal of producing or procuring 1GW of renewable energy by the end of 2015.
(Photo: Navy Region Hawaii & Housing Partner's first resident energy conservation program. Credit: MavyCurrentsMagazine via Flickr)