SunPower, Colorado Springs Utilities Install 6 MW Solar PV Power System for the U.S. Air Force Academy

SunPower and Colorado Springs Utilities declared that they have completed the installation of a 6 MW solar PV system in Colorado Springs-based U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA).

The project will allow USAFA to move towards its Net Zero Initiative goal to achieve 100% of its power requirement from renewable energy sources.

The system utilizes solar panels and SunPower T0 solar tracker system, developed by SunPower. The tracker follows the movement of the sun all through the day to capture the increased level of sunlight energy to generate around 25% more power than normal fixed-tilt type of solar systems. The installed system fulfills the rigorous technology and design standards set by USAFA. The renewable energy credits and other environment benefits accrued from the installation will be shared by USAFA and SunPower equally.

According to an estimation provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the installed solar system will generate enough power to offset over 9,400 tons of carbon dioxide discharge every year which can be equated to removing around 40,900 from the highways of Colorado for a period of 25 years.