New solar facility opens at Holloman Air Force Base
The U.S. Air Force celebrated the opening of Holloman Atlas Solar Array at Holloman Air Force Base in Otero County, New Mexico.
The facility — owned and operated by El Paso Electric – is the first built to serve a U.S. military installation.
“The completion of the Holloman Atlas Solar Array marks a milestone in our renewable energy goals and embodies our mission to provide safe, clean, and sustainable sources of energy,” Mary Kipp, El Paso Electric president and CEO, said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony last week. “Today, we want to celebrate our inaugural collaboration with the U.S. Air Force and look forward to continue serving our community through these kinds of partnerships.”
Construction of the 42-acre solar facility began in 2017.
“From the beginning, we were confident in this new cooperation with El Paso Electric as we all came together to bring this project to fruition. The addition of this clean energy resource will enhance our resiliency and ability to better equip our installation while at the same time saving on taxpayer costs. In addition to enhancing our installation, we are reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. By decreasing this dependence, we are strengthening and increasing our national security,” Lt. Col. Joel Purcell, 49th Wing Civil Engineer Squadron commander, said.
The solar facility is made up of roughly 56,000 thin-film modules that will generate enough electricity to power more than 1,700 homes each year. This will reduce CO2 emissions by over 9,000 U.S. tons and save approximately 9 million gallons of water.
“The Holloman Atlas Solar Array is a landmark project for us as we were once again able to work with EPE to build its first facility to serve a military installation, as well as expand its clean energy footprint for the region,” said Jim Brown, president of Exyte Energy, the company that built the solar facility.
