Airmen Search for Other Means of Energy

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Airmen Search for Other Means of Energy
January 07, 2009
Air Force Print News|by SrA Jonathan Snyder

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE. Alaska - Air Force Technical Applications Center Airmen operating at 12 remote locations throughout Alaska are pursuing alternate means for energy.

The Airmen of Det. 460, a tenant unit at Eielson Air Force Base, operate in units powered by propane, but now solar power may become a reality even though there are times of the year when the sun shines less than four hours a day here.

"It seems we have advanced in technology to the point where solar systems in the dark arctic conditions of Alaska are viable and now we must overcome the old mindset that Alaska is just too dark in the winter for solar power," said Master Sgt. Andrew Morgan, the Det. 460 superintendent.

The Geophysical Institute at University of Alaska Fairbanks uses other power systems at their remote sites and has shared that information. Sergeant Morgan said having that information prompted the detachment to seek a better power solution.

While collaborating and sharing data with UAF on their already operational renewable energy sites, Det. 460 Airmen go out to each site and collect their own information using a solar pathfinder that provides a fast, accurate solar site analysis. In a matter of minutes, the solar pathfinder shows the year-round, site-specific solar data to determine the best location and angle to setup solar panels.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/air-force-news/airmen-search-for-other-means-of-energy.html