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The U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) and REC Solar, a national provider of commercial solar and energy solutions, announced the interconnection of two solar energy carports totaling 280 kW at USAR offices in Arizona and California. The solar arrays support the Department of Defense’s (DoD) mandate of procuring 25% of its total facility energy from renewable sources by 2025.
REC Solar provided the engineering, procurement and construction services for the solar carport installations. Federal Prison Industries (FPI), a U.S. government corporation, was the contracting agency and provided the system modules.
“REC Solar’s track record of installing high-quality solar energy systems for government agencies gave us the confidence that REC would complete this project right and on time,” said Stewart Fearon, Director of Public Works for the 63rd Regional Support Command, U.S. Army Reserve. “By working with REC Solar and Federal Prison Industries, these solar projects provide dependable renewable energy for the long term. We’re also pleased to provide quality, meaningful jobs for the 21st century that can help rehabilitate inmates.”
Under FPI oversight, inmates from the federal prison system engaged in high-skill jobs manufacturing the solar modules, which are incorporated into federal solar arrays. USAR’s solar carports will provide shading for employee and soldier parking, and offset carbon emissions equivalent to burning 521 barrels of oil annually.
“I saw first-hand that we need to produce energy at home during my tour in Iraq,” said John Handy, Federal Business Development Manager at REC Solar and retired U.S. Army Colonel. “Solar energy is a proven solution that can generate energy at home as reliably as the sun rising every day. REC Solar is proud to help the Department of Defense contribute to U.S. energy independence with these two new solar installations.”