MCBH dedicates solar system for new bachelor quarters

Marine Corps Base Hawaii dedicated Wednesday a 470-kilowatt photovoltaic system that will supply the energy needs of a new 150-room bachelor enlisted quarters.

The project designed and installed by SolarCity will contribute to the Marine base’s goal of being completely energy self-sufficient by 2015, said Steven Butala, facilities department mechanical engineer at MCBH. It also moves the Department of Defense closer to its goal of having 25 percent of its energy requirements supplied by renewable sources by 2025.

It is the second Hawaii military base to receive a SolarCity PV system. The company partnered with Lend Lease to initiate a project to provide solar electricity to Hickam Communities at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.