500-MW Edwards AFB Solar Project To Move Forward

Texas, United States [RenewableEnergyWorld.com] The Air Force Real Property Agency and Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) executed an Agreement to Lease, setting the stage for development of the largest solar photovoltaic development in North America. The 3,288 acre parcel of land, with an estimated production capacity of up to 500 megawatts of solar photovoltaics, would also be the largest energy Enhanced Use Lease for the Department of Defense.

Enhanced Use Leases allow the Air Force to partner with private industry by leasing non excess real property. The agreement grants FRV exclusive access to the proposed development site in order to conduct necessary environmental and transmission studies. It also gives the company the first option to lease the parcel upon successful completion of the studies and associated permitting activities.

The agreement is a boon to the Air Force EUL program, as it is the largest public-private energy development opportunity to-date. The EUL program is a major part of AFRPA's mission to manage, acquire and dispose of Air Force real property worldwide. To date, the agency has more than 30 EUL projects in various stages of development at bases throughout the United States and its territories.

“This is a significant success because it allows the Air Force to partner with renewable energy experts to effect positive economic and environmental change for the state of California,” said Dennis Guadarrama, chief of strategic asset utilization for AFRPA.

The signing of the Agreement to Lease represents a significant first step in the overall development process, lease execution will likely occur in late 2012, with commencement of construction targeted for 2013.