Renewable Energy Case Studies

Photo of photovoltaic arrays in front of a red mountain with a blue sky backdrop.

Federal agencies often turn to photovoltaics for energy, like this National Park Service deployment.

Photo of a man standing a long row of U-shaped solar mirrors.

The Federal Correctional Institution in Phoenix, Arizona, uses solar technologies to heat water for facility use.

The following case studies provide complete information on renewable energy projects at Federal facilities. Application briefs summarizing Federal renewable energy projects are also available.

Transpired Solar Collector at NREL's Waste Handling Facility Uses Solar Energy to Heat Ventilation Air: The transpired solar collector on NREL's Waste handling Facility uses solar thermal technology to reduce electric heating loads.
U.S. Army Fort Knox: Using the Earth for Space Heating and Cooling: Overview of the geothermal/ground source heat pump project at the U.S. Army Fort Knox Disney Barracks.
Using the Sun for Hot Water and Electricity: Integrated solar thermal/photovoltaics provide hot water and electricity for the U.S. Marine Corps Camp Pendleton training pools.
Electrifying Pinnacles: Photovoltaics provide electrical services to Pinnacles National Monument in an environmentally sensitive area.
Energy-Efficient Retrofits at the Carl Hayden Visitors Center: Bureau of Reclamation retrofits the Carl Hayden Visitors Center to save energy, water, and money.
Heating Water with Solar Energy Costs Less at the Phoenix Federal Correctional Institution: Large solar thermal system costs less than buying electricity to heat water.
Joshua Tree and Mojave Go Solar: Using renewable energy lowers operating costs and dramatically reduces harmful emissions.
New National Conservation Training Center a Model of Energy-Efficient Design: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service builds in energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and aesthetics.
Renewable Energy at Channel Islands National Park: Hybrid wind/photovoltaic project protects pristine resources.
Showering with the Sun at Chickasaw National Recreation Area: Unobtrusive, cost-effective solar water heating provides hot showers to Buckhorn Campground visitors.
Solar is Saving Energy for the Alfred A. Arraj U.S. Courthouse: Building-integrated photovoltaics provide electricity while meeting Federal renewable energy goals.
A Solar Success Story at Moanalua Terrace: Rooftop solar systems prove to be an environmentally and economically sound choice for heating water at Navy housing.
Renewable Energy Projects at NREL: Multiple renewable energy projects at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) help meet Department of Energy goals.
TEAM Initiative Renewable Energy Projects Take Shape: Overview of renewable energy projects undertaken by the Department of Energy as part of its Transformational Energy Action Management (TEAM) Initiative.

Application Briefs

Photo of a long, brown office building standing in front of a street with several cars stopped at a traffic building.

The Department of Energy Forrestal Headquarters Building features a rooftop photovoltaic array that provides 8% of the building's electricity needs.

The examples below provide brief descriptions of completed renewable energy projects at Federal facilities. Each summary provides background about the project, as well as initial investment, payback period, and cost and energy savings if available.

System Performance Measurement Supports Design Recommendations for Solar Ventilation Preheat System: Technical briefing on the outcomes of a data monitoring effort to determine the nature of solar vent preheat system performance problems at a U.S. military installation.
Bureau of Land Management, Campground, Utah: Photovoltaics allow people working in remote areas to have the convenience of power.
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Supai Village, Arizona: Photovoltaics supply electrical power to a school, jail, and government complex that houses local teachers and police officers.
Department of Commerce, Honolulu, Hawaii: Solar water heating systems were installed on six staff residences, designed to meet 90% of the yearly demand for hot water.
U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, D.C.: Photovoltaics mounted on a balcony works in conjunction with other energy-saving measures to lower energy use within the building.
Environmental Protection Agency, Edison, New Jersey: Super ambient solar thermal collector, or solar hot water pre-heater, heats water for shower facilities in the lab.
Federal Correctional Institution, Phoenix, Arizona: A parabolic-trough solar water-heating system includes 18,000 square feet of parabolic trough solar collectors and a 21,000-gallon thermal energy storage tank.
General Services Administration, Suitland, Maryland: Photovoltaic system installed as part of the Million Solar Roofs initiative.
National Park Service, Chickasaw, Oklahoma: Solar energy incorporated into the design of three comfort stations to save taxpayer dollars and minimize environmental impacts.
National Science Foundation, Lake Hoare, Antarctica: Photovoltaics installed to provide an energy source that does not cause pollution or engine noise.
National Park Service, Lake Powell, Utah: Photovoltaics provide power while reducing adverse environmental risks associated with barging diesel across Lake Powell.
National Park Service, San Miguel Island, California: Ranger station incorporates a hybrid wind/photovoltaic power system, solar water preheater, rainwater collection for toilet flushing, nine solar tube skylights, and more.
U.S. Army, Ft. Carson, Colorado: First Federal facility to install a "solar wall" - a solar ventilation air preheating system used to heat the high-bay aviation maintenance facility.
U.S. Coast Guard, Honolulu, Hawaii: 278 housing units converted from electric water heaters to solar hot water systems with assistance from FEMP and local utility rebates.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Shepherdstown, West Virginia: Center designed to use passive solar and low-energy technologies that are readily available, easily maintained, and cost effective.
U.S. Navy, Moanalua Terrace, Hawaii: Housing developed with photovoltaics and solar water heating with FEMP assistance and local utility rebates.
U.S. Navy, San Clemente Island, California: Three wind turbines installed through a joint project of the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
U.S. Postal Service, Rancho Mirage, California: Rehabilitating an inoperable photovoltaic system to provide grid-connected AC power.
National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming: Photovoltaics provide 70% of a building group's energy needs, pushing propane generators into a backup role.

FEMP You Have the Power Campaign materials and the FEMP Focus newsletter are additional resources for information on completed renewable energy projects at Federal facilities.