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Colorado Springs Utilities and SunPower have signed an agreement to design and construct a 6MW solar photovoltaic power system at the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs. Construction at the 30-acre site will begin in November 2010 for completion in the summer of 2011.
The project will be funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), as a result of Government requirements for federal facilities to use increasing amounts of renewable energy. SunPower and Springs Utilities will each own 50% of the renewable energy credits (RECs) and environmental benefits associated with the system.
"This solar power system will create local jobs, reduce the demand for fossil fuels, and improve air quality in our community," said Springs Utilities CEO Jerry Forte. "We are confident that, with SunPower as our experienced solar provider, the Air Force Academy solar plant will be built to high quality standards and will meet forecasted output over the 25-year life of the system."
The system, which will be designed to meet USAFA's engineering design standards, will feature SunPower solar panels and the SunPower Tracker system.
"The 30-acre, 6MW system at this site, where Air Force cadets and officers alike engage in thousands of training flights each year, will be a testament to the fact that solar power provides a secure, independent power source in the U.S.," said Jim Pape, president of SunPower's residential and commercial business group. "Reliability and quality are the hallmarks of SunPower systems. We look forward to working with the Springs Utilities and the Air Force Academy on this very exciting project."
