US Army Solar Project "the Largest in History"

The 500-megawatt installation at the Fort Irwin base in the Mojave Desert in California, will be the largest solar power project in Department of Defense history

The solar power will be generated by both photovoltaic panels and solar concentrators, which make steam to drive turbines. The completed project will have the capacity to generate 500 megawatts of electricity.  By comparison, the generating capacity of a natural gas or coal power plant could be between 600 megawatts and 800 megawatts.

Many retired military officials say that the United States' dependence on fossil fuels (and global warming) pose a significant security risk.  The introduction of a may 2009 study (signed by 12 retired senior military officials) states:

"During our decades of service in the U.S. military, we witnessed some of the impacts of America’s energy choices. Many of our overseas deployments were defined, in part, by the strategic decision to ensure the free flow of oil, to the U.S. and to our allies. Many of the troops we commanded were aided by air cover from high thrust delivery systems that only an energy-intense society can provide. Many of these same troops were often burdened and imperiled by battlefield systems that were energy inefficient. Some of the attacks on our troops and on American civilians have been supported by funds from the sale of oil. Our nation’s energy choices have saved lives; they have also cost lives.

... The challenges inherent in this suite of issues may be daunting, particularly at a time of economic crisis. Still, our experience informs us there is good reason for viewing this moment in history as an opportunity. We can say, with certainty, that we need not exchange benefits in one dimension for harm in another; in fact, we have found that the best approaches to energy, climate change, and national security may be one and the same."

The full report is Here.