SEIA - New Report: Solar Energy Reduces Military Costs, Boosts Security, Saves Lives

WASHINGTON, DC -- In celebration of Armed Services Day, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today released a first-of-its-kind report detailing how innovative solar technologies are helping the U.S. military meet many of its critical functions – from security and battlefield readiness to cost savings and efficiency.

“Enlisting the Sun: Powering the U.S. Military with Solar Energy” shows solar energy’s growing role in powering military installations and military homes across the U.S.  As of early 2013, there are more than 130 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) energy systems powering Navy, Army and Air Force bases in at least 31 states and the District of Columbia.

Just as importantly, solar energy is playing an increasingly important role in making the U.S. military’s energy supply more secure, more affordable and less reliant on often-times unstable foreign sources.

“America’s solar companies, which employ nearly 120,000 workers from coast to coast, are very proud of the contributions they’re making to help the men and women of the U.S. military to defend our nation,” said Rhone Resch, SEIA president and CEO.  “Solar clearly is making a big difference – both on the front lines and in military installations from North Carolina to Hawaii.  Many of the technologies being used by the military today have been adapted for use from consumer products.”

In Afghanistan, for instance, U.S. troops in battle zones are using everything from portable solar panels to solar tent shields to cutting-edge, solar-powered security systems to help them successfully carry out critical missions. See photos of military solar uses here.

In recent years, the Pentagon has become increasingly concerned about an overdependence on fossil fuels.  Today, the military buys gas for just over $1 a gallon, but getting that gasoline to forward bases in Afghanistan costs more than $400 per gallon.

By utilizing more solar energy, military leaders say they are not only saving money, but potentially saving lives, too, since solar is helping to reduce the number of truck convoys needed to transport fuel, which are frequently the targets of attacks by insurgents or improvised explosive devices (IEDs).  Over the past decade, there have been more than 3,300 U.S. casualties as a result of attacks on fuel convoys.

“Today, the Defense Department is one of the largest institutional users of solar energy in the world,” Resch added. “After using solar energy on military bases and in the field, many returning servicemen and servicewomen are finding great career opportunities at solar firms, which have been actively recruiting veterans.  Many other veterans have started firms of their own.”

In addition to its operational uses, solar energy is helping the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to rein in its massive energy bills. As the largest energy consumer in the world, the DOD faces a $20 billion energy bill each year. In response to increasing energy needs and shrinking budgets, the DOD has committed to meet 25 percent of its energy needs with renewable energy by 2025. The Navy, Army and Air Force are each implementing aggressive plans that are increasing investments in solar, which is expected to encourage even more innovation within the industry.

Today, the U.S. has 7,700 MW of installed solar electric capacity – enough to power more than 1.2 million American homes – and 40 percent of our existing capacity, or 3,300 MW, was installed last year alone, making solar one of the fastest-growing industries in the nation.  America’s solar industry now employs nearly 120,000 workers at 5,600 companies – most of which are small businesses spread across every state in the union.

About SEIA®:
Established in 1974, the Solar Energy Industries Association® is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry. Through advocacy and education, SEIA and its 1,000 member companies are building a strong solar industry to power America. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works to make solar a mainstream and significant energy source by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy. www.seia.org

Background Materials:
- “Enlisting the Sun: Powering the U.S. Military with Solar Energy,” May 17, 2013: http://www.seia.org/research-resources/enlisting-sun-powering-us-military-solar-energy
- Enlisting the Sun Fact Sheet: http://www.seia.org/research-resources/enlisting-sun-solar-military-fact-sheet
- Military Solar Photo Gallery: http://www.seia.org/news/press-support/enlisting-sun-photo-gallery
- Interactive Map of U.S. Solar-Powered Installations: http://www.seia.org/map/military-solar.php
- U.S. Solar Market Insight: 2012 Year in Review: www.seia.org/smi 
- The Solar Foundation’s National Solar Jobs Census 2012: www.thesolarfoundation.org/research/national-solar-jobs-census-2012 

SEIA Applauds Confirmation of New DOE Secretary Ernest Moniz

WASHINGTON, DC – Calling him “uniquely qualified,” Rhone Resch, president & CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), issued the following statement after Ernest Moniz was unanimously confirmed today as secretary of the Department of Energy:

“Ernest Moniz will be an outstanding Secretary of Energy.  As a Massachusetts Institute of Technology physics professor, an expert in energy issues and a veteran of Washington politics, he is uniquely qualified to tackle the many policy challenges facing our nation and the world.  In today’s combative political environment, his unanimous selection in the Senate stands as a testament to his abilities, as well as to the respect he brings to his new position.  We look forward to working with Secretary Moniz on policies and opportunities which will create new American jobs, expand the U.S. economy and provide energy security for our nation.”

About SEIA®:
Established in 1974, the Solar Energy Industries Association® is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry. Through advocacy and education, SEIA and its 1,000 member companies are building a strong solar industry to power America. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works to make solar a mainstream and significant energy source by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy. www.seia.org

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Christopher Mansour Named SEIA Vice President of Federal Affairs

WASHINGTON, DC -- Capitol Hill veteran Christopher Mansour, who has nearly three decades of experience in the legislative and executive branches of government, has joined the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) as vice president of federal affairs.

Mansour comes to SEIA after four years as director of congressional and legislative affairs for the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI).  Prior to that, he served for 24 years in the office of Congressman Dale E. Kildee of Michigan, including 17 years as chief of staff.

“Christopher is one of the brightest and most respected leaders on Capitol Hill,” said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of SEIA, in making the announcement.  “He has a wealth of experience in legislative and government affairs, and has been extremely successful in securing passage of a wide range of important bills.  With his background and knowledge, Christopher will help us to better educate lawmakers, regulators and administration officials about the importance of solar as a clean, safe, affordable and inexhaustible supply of energy for our nation.”

At the Interior Department, Mansour managed a staff of 16 lawyers, political-appointed officials and support staff.  He provided the Interior Secretary with strategic advice on crafting, approving and advancing the department’s legislative agenda through Congress.

As head of legislative and congressional affairs, Mansour also played a key role in shepherding several major pieces of legislation to enactment, including the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009, which TIME magazine listed among the top 10 environmental laws in recent U.S. history.

Additionally, Mansour was tasked with the responsibility of confirming 17 Interior Department presidential nominees, requiring him to negotiate with various Senators and their offices to address specific concerns and to convince them to lift their holds.
 
Among his many other responsibilities, Mansour also directed and coordinated the activities of the department’s legislative counsel and five other attorneys to draft all testimony for the Secretary and Deputy Secretary and to supervise the choice of DOI witnesses and drafting of testimony for all Congressional hearings on DOI subjects.

Prior to joining the Interior Department, Mansour served as chief of staff for longtime Congressman Dale E. Kildee of Michigan.  In that capacity, he directed and coordinated the activities of a staff of 17 people, handling all personnel, payroll and administrative and decisions.
 
During his time in that position, Mansour was responsible for an aggressive legislative agenda that included improving education, strengthening the U.S. automobile industry and protecting America’s vast natural resources.  His many achievements included passage of a new national childcare initiative, the Act for Better Childcare, and important improvements to the Head Start Program.

A native of Michigan, Mansour received a B.A. in international relations from Michigan State University and later received a master’s degree from Georgetown University.

About SEIA®:
Established in 1974, the Solar Energy Industries Association® is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry. Through advocacy and education, SEIA and its 1,000 member companies are building a strong solar industry to power America. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works to make solar a mainstream and significant energy source by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy. www.seia.org

SEIA Celebrates Earth Day by 'Flipping the Switch' on Huge New Solar Facility

WASHINGTON, DC -- In celebration of the 43rd annual Earth Day, Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association, released the following statement:

“On April 22, 1970, when the very first Earth Day was held, there was virtually no solar energy powering the grid in the United States.  How times have changed.

“Today, there are 7.7 gigawatts (GW) of solar installed in the U.S. – enough to power more than 1.2 million American homes – and 5.2 GW is expected to be installed this year.

“On this Earth Day, we celebrate all of the hard-working Americans who have worked tirelessly on rooftops, in factories and in laboratories across our nation to help make solar the fastest-growing energy source in the United States.  Each of them is doing their part to move our nation towards a cleaner, more secure and more sustainable energy supply.

“Today, we’re also celebrating a notable achievement in Springfield, Ohio, where a major American business – which employs more than 2,000 people – is turning on a solar system that will allow it to generate virtually all of its electricity from the sun.

“Assurant Specialty Property – one of the Springfield-Dayton area’s largest employers – has made clean energy a top priority and has invested in a state of-the-art solar facility, which will produce more than 1.9 million kilowatts (KW) of solar power annually.

“This kind of amazing success story is happening all across our nation as more and more companies and homeowners go solar.  The 5,600 businesses and nearly 120,000 American workers that make up the U.S. solar industry are working hard every single day to harness the unlimited power of the sun.  In turn, this is helping to make our economy stronger and to ensure future prosperity by providing a clean, affordable and inexhaustible supply of domestic energy.”

About SEIA®:
Established in 1974, the Solar Energy Industries Association® is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry. Through advocacy and education, SEIA and its 1,000 member companies are building a strong solar industry to power America. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works to make solar a mainstream and significant energy source by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy. www.seia.org