Defense Logistics Agency Energy Deputy Commander George Atwood attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony with other senior officials for the large-scale renewable energy solar project at Fort Detrick, Maryland, June 17.

The 15 megawatt project is comprised of 59,994 solar panels that will generate enough electricity to power 2,720 homes per year. The project is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 19,000 metric tons annually.

 “As of Feb. 10, the largest solar array project in the northeast for the Army became fully operational and is now producing electricity for Fort Detrick Army Installation,” Atwood said. “Being part of the multi-faceted project team that supported the Fort Detrick effort has been a significant stride for DLA Energy in executing other similar project efforts for the Army and across the Department of Defense.”

The project includes a 25-year electricity purchase agreement and is expected to provide approximately $3 million in cost avoidance over the course of the contract.

“Having alternative means of power that contributes to supplying power to the facility is important to the overall energy resiliency for the Army and Fort Detrick,” Atwood said.

To see things first hand, Atwood and Ameresco officials visited the solar array located on 67 acres of land throughout Area B at Fort Detrick. Site officials explained how the panels were designed, installed and operate on a daily basis.

“I was here for the ground breaking [in 2015] so seeing the layout, operation of the solar panels and how they synchronize with the grid to provide electricity to the installation is really a great opportunity,” Atwood said.

The project is designed to serve about 12 percent of Fort Detrick’s annual electric load requirements.  Fort Detrick will consume all energy supplied by the project.

The system at Fort Detrick was made possible through a contract awarded by DLA Energy, March 13, 2015, to support the Army’s strategic objective for resilient energy supplies for critical installation operations.

Since DLA Energy executed the contract award for Fort Detrick, Energy contract specialists will continue to monitor and provide administrative roles to the Army and Fort Detrick for the next 25 years.

“This project provides reliable energy from a large-scale on-site renewable resource and supports both the Army and DoD strategy for greater energy security at fixed installations,” said DLA Energy Installation Energy Director Pam Griffith.

“These types of projects require us to integrate multiple disciplines, including engineering, construction, environmental, real property and energy acquisition into a single contract vehicle.  It is a true team effort,” she said.

The Fort Detrick solar project is the result of a collaborative partnership between the U.S. Army Office of Energy Initiatives, Fort Detrick, Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Ameresco, Inc.  and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“Efforts like this take teamwork and collaboration to bring it to fruition and shows the breadth of scope DLA Energy brings to our service partners, particularly at Fort Detrick,” Atwood said.