HelioSage to develop solar projects on military bases

Chatlottesville-based HelioSage Energy is collaborating with Gulf Power Co. on the development of three solar projects totaling 120 megawatts on three military bases in Florida.

The companies are working with the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy on the solar facilities, which will be located along the Gulf Coast in Northwest Florida.

“These projects serve as another example that large-scale solar has become a cost-effective, proven technology, and one that will play a major role in the energy future of not only the Sunshine State, but the nation,”  Chris Quarterman, HelioSage’s vice president of strategy, said in a statement. “We congratulate Gulf Power and the military for their leadership and vision, and look forward to working together on this collaborative effort.”

HelioSage is a developer of utility-scale solar projects, with executed purchase agreements and projects representing more than 400 megawatts of power in 20 states. Gulf Power is a Florida electric utility, which is owned by Atlanta-based Southern Co.

After it gains approval by the Florida Public Service Commission, HelioSage will develop, finance and operate the solar projects, whose power will be sold to Gulf Power.

The solar facilities will be built at Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach (30 megawatts), Holley Naval Outlying Landing Field in Navarre (40 megawatts) and Saufley Naval Outlying Landing Field in Pensacola (50 megawatts).
Construction is expected to begin early next year, with the projects reaching commercial operation by the fourth quarter of 2016.

Together, the solar facilities will produce enough energy to power over 18,000 homes each year.