Naval Base Coronado's Green Energy Initiative

The Navy is continuing its progress in going green aboard Naval Base Coronado with construction of 15 solar panels along the bayfront scheduled for completion in late February.

The solar panels will produce approximately 400,000 kilowatts per year, saving the Navy approximately $500,000 a year in power costs.

"As part of the Navy's energy initiative we constructed 15 solar panels, called solar trees, that will rotate with the sun throughout the day," said Lt. j.g. Brett Sauers, the assistant public works officer for Naval Base Coronado. "Each of the solar trees will convert enough solar energy during a single day to power three to four standard households."

Sauers went on to explain how the solar trees will be equipped with electronic car ports allowing energy-efficient vehicles to charge during the day while their drivers are at work.

Fred Speece, resource efficiency manager for Naval Base Coronado, has been working to convert the base to more energy-efficient power sources for the past several years.

"It's pretty exciting to be in this field," said Speece. "Helping to reduce the energy we use, whether it's through placing better, more efficient lighting in our buildings, or helping with the construction of solar panels around the base that convert sunlight into real usable energy, it is one of the most rewarding jobs I could ever imagine doing."

The base's switch to green energy, along with the ground-breaking for a 118-acre solar farm at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in January 2012, are both a part of the Navy's green energy initiative.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus laid out five aggressive energy goals in October 2009 to improve energy security and efficiency, increase energy independence, and help lead the nation toward a clean energy economy. This initiative assists in achieving the energy goal of increasing alternative energy afloat and ashore where by 2020, the Department of the Navy (DON) will produce at least 50 percent of shore-based energy requirements from alternative sources and 50 percent of DON installations will be net-zero.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil , www.facebook.com/usnavy , or www.twitter.com/usnavy .

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Stephen Votaw, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West