Lajes takes first step to save energy consumption with solar power

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Olufemi Owolabi
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Azores --  As part of the Air Force's renewable energy initiative, Lajes is committed to meeting its goal and saving taxpayers money by conserving most of its electric energy.

The 65th Civil Engineer Squadron has taken a step forward Feb. 22 after installing and testing its first solar energy-producing panels in one of the base military family housing facilities at Lajes.

The panel unit, which according to the 65 CES officials, costs about $5,000 with a six year maintenance guarantee, was estimated to save a housing unit hundreds of dollars a year in electric power consumption.

"The Air Force is required to obtain 30 percent of its hot water from solar heating where cost effective, and our research shows that this system we have selected will yield significant savings over its lifetime," said Sandra Mota, solar power installation project engineer with the 65 CES. "Each system will save us around $466 per year. They also have a payback of less than 10 years and a life expectancy of 25 years."

Given the Terceira Island weather conditions, especially in the summer, the project officials describe the test-run project as the best fit for Lajes Field.

The system collects radiation from the sun, even on cloudy or rainy days, Mrs. Mota said.
She described the new solar panels as a very safe and efficient system because it does not hinder the operations of the old traditional electric heater system, just in case there is an insufficient radiation to heat the water to the desired temperatures.

"The conventional electric heater kicks in to compensate so that the end user is never without hot water," Mrs. Mota said. The equipment is also marine-grade guaranteed to survive our island environment."

This project is the 65th Civil Engineer Squadron's first pilot test and plans are in place to eventually have them installed in all Military Family Housing units over the next few years.
"Our price per KwH on the island is around $0.17 so every ray of sunshine captured is one less Kw we pay for," Mrs. Mota said. "Our KwH consumption is reportable to USAFE on a quarterly basis and Lajes has a tradition of showing record reductions in energy savings throughout the Air Force. This endeavor will help us maintain that tradition in years to come."

In the future, there are plans in place to install the solar system at high-use facilities like the dorms, swimming pool and the fitness center, she added.

"We have a very diligent energy management team, led by Ms. Lerena Duarte, who is always on the lookout for new technologies to bring Lajes closer to Air Force goals as far as renewable energy is concerned," Mrs. Mota said.