Case Study: U.S. Army Garrison Fort Detrick achieves 18.6 MW solar power and enhanced energy security with Ameresco

Large-Scale Solar Facility Supports the Army’s Goal of Deploying One Gigawatt of Renewable Energy by 2025

U.S. Army Garrison Fort Detrick partnered with Ameresco to meet the Army’s renewable energy targets and improve energy security and resiliency for its critical research campus. The challenge was to deploy large-scale, cost-effective renewable generation while reducing emissions and ensuring reliable on-base power; the project was structured as a solar photovoltaic installation delivered under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement.

Ameresco designed, built, owns and operates an 18.6 MW DC (15.0 MW AC) solar facility across 67 acres, installing 59,994 panels and more than 1.25 miles of 4,160V distribution wiring. The Ameresco project supplies about 12% of Fort Detrick’s annual electric load, reduces CO2 emissions by 19,000 metric tons per year (equivalent to powering 2,720 homes), enhances energy security and resiliency, and provides renewable electricity below current and projected utility rates.