VA Awards Recovery Funded Renewable Energy Project
Albuquerque Installs Solar Cell System
ALBUQUERQUE – In support of ongoing energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives, the Department of Veterans Affairs awarded a $20.3 million contract to install a solar system at the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center in Albuquerque, using funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
“We are investing in clean energy and other renewable energy projects for our medical centers to reduce our environmental footprint,” Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki said. “The transition toward these renewable energy sources helps VA continue to be a leading example in ‘going green’ in the Federal government.”
This medical center will be installing a 3,206 kilowatt solar photovoltaic system, which is estimated to produce up to 24 percent of this facility’s annual electricity. VA selected this site based on feasibility studies that were performed to determine the most ideal locations to invest in on-site renewable energy projects.
VA’s goal is to increase renewable energy consumption to 15 percent of annual electricity usage by 2013. The installation of this solar system will help VA meet that goal.
VA has also awarded Recovery Act funds to install a geothermal renewable energy project at the VA medical center in St. Cloud, Minn.; a wind turbine at the national cemetery in Bourne, Mass.; and solar systems at the Tucson VA Medical Center, plus national cemeteries in Calverton, N.Y. and San Joaquin, Calif.
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