U.S. airmen are one step closer to going off the grid. The Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., announced the completion of an on-base solar energy farm June 13 that generates up to 6 megawatts of solar power.

The installation, completed by a collaboration of the Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs Utilities and SunPower Corp., features high-efficiency SunPower solar panels that follow the sun's movement during the day. The tracking panels increase sunlight capture by up to 25 percent over conventional fixed systems, while significantly reducing land use requirements.

As part of its initiative to generate all electricity from renewable energy sources, the Air Force commissioned the project in November. The system provides 11 percent of the academy’s annual electric usage, according to Russell Hume, an engineer at the academy.

Hume said the solar project is just one step toward a greener academy.

“This initiative sets in motion progress toward the goal of the academy to generate 100 percent of the electricity it needs via on-base renewable energy sources,” he said.

SunPower and the Air Force will each own 50 percent of the renewable energy credits and environmental benefits associated with the system.

An EPA estimate said the system will offset more than 9,400 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year, which represents the carbon dioxide output of 40,900 cars over 25 years.

To reach its goal of 100 percent renewable energy, the academy plans to install at least one more solar array, Hume said.

“We’re looking at another ground-mounted array in the energy strategic plan,” he said. “There’s lot of opportunity. We haven’t ruled anything out yet.”

Lt. Gen. Mike Gould, superintendent of the academy, said the same at the June 13 dedication ceremony.

“This is just the tip of the energy iceberg,” Gould said.

Image courtesy of the Air force Academy.