Army to build military’s largest solar array in Arizona

The U.S. Army will break ground this week on a new solar power array at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., which will be the largest solar array on a United States military installation.

When the array starts operating in late 2014, it will provide about 25 percent of Fort Huachuca’s electricity needs, the Army said Monday.

“The project goes beyond the megawatts produced. It reflects our continued commitment to southern Arizona and energy security,” said Maj. Gen. Robert Ashley, the commanding general of Fort Huachuca. “The project will provide reliable access to electricity for daily operations and missions moving forward”

“The project establishes a new path for an innovative partnering opportunity among the U.S. Army, other federal agencies, private industry and the utility provider,” said Richard Kidd, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for energy and sustainability.

Tucson Electric Power, the local electric utility in southern Arizona, will fund, own and manage the solar array, the Army said.

The Army has committed to deploying one gigawatt of renewable energy by 2025, it said.