FORT MOORE, Ga. - The recent installation of solar-powered charging stations on post for government-owned electric vehicles is aiding the Army's efforts toward achieving net-zero vehicle emissions.
"We installed 34 solar charging stations, which are charged exclusively from clean, renewable sunshine," said Damian Haye, a mechanical engineer with Fort Moore's Directorate of Public Works. "Each sustainable (electric vehicle) solar charger generates and stores its electricity to deliver clean, renewable energy to the installation's non-tactical, government (owned), electric vehicle fleet."
The initiative comes in response to Presidential Executive Order 14057, “Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability,” which requires federal agencies to transition their non-tactical vehicles to 100 percent zero-emission vehicle fleet acquisitions by 2035, including 100 percent zero-emission light-duty vehicle acquisition by 2027.
Fort Moore is transitioning its non-tactical, petroleum-based vehicles to electric vehicles through regular end-of-life replacement cycles. NTVs include commercially available sedans, station wagons, utility vehicles, trucks, and vans.
"Our solar-power electric vehicle charging stations are quick to set up, portable, and independent of the power grid. We can seamlessly integrate our non-tactical electric vehicle fleet with these solar-powered (electric vehicle) charging systems," said Haye.
Charging stations powered by solar energy have collection panels that are designed to move along with the sun's trajectory.
"We can program our solar-powered charging stations to follow the sun's movement throughout the day, ensuring it stays in the optimal position and tracks the sun to generate up to 25 percent more energy," said Haye. "The stations will charge (electric vehicles) up to a range of around 265 miles per charge, depending on the vehicle and its battery size."
Investing in renewable solar power energy will help the installation meet the federal sustainability plan while efficiently increasing operational capability and strengthening energy readiness and resilience.
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