Grid-Parity Solar Power for Department of Defense Installations.

摘要

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration s 2011 Annual Energy Outlook, fossil fuels make up over 85% of the US s current fuel use for energy generation. Despite optimistic growth for the use of renewable energy fuels, the EIA still forecasts over 78% fossil fuel use for energy generation by 2035. In testimony before the US Senate on January 27, 2010, Deputy Undersecretary for Defense for Installations and Environment, Dr. Dorothy Robyn, stated that the military s heavy reliance on fossil fuels creates significant risks and costs at a tactical and strategic level.1 The intent of this project was to demonstrate a solar power plant that achieves grid-parity solar power without tax credits or rebates on a DoD installation. For purposes of this discussion, grid-parity is defined as the solar power plant installed and operated at a cost at or below the cost of electricity provided by the local utility, including all energy and demand charges. Based on data from September 2012 thru August 2013 the blended cost of electricity from the local utility provider was $0.111/kwh.