OLDSMAR – Defense contracting giant Lockheed Martin recently unveiled a $5 million, 2.25-megawatt solar energy operation at its Oldsmar, FL campus that the company says will save $6.5 million in energy costs over the 25-year life of the project.
The project covers 151,400 square feet of canopy that doubles as covered parking for 534 employee vehicles. The roof contains 7,260 solar modules through which the company says it plans to reduce energy use by 25 percent by 2020.
The company billed the project as the largest private, non-utility solar array in the state. Lockheed's Oldsmar facility employs about 640 electronics workers for the company's defense systems.
The solar project cost was around $5 million, but the company is eligible for a 30 percent federal solar tax credit and expects to cut its energy bill by up to $400,000 annually.
The project came online last month, but was unveiled to the press at an event Oct. 20. Florida Gov. Rick Scott was the keynote speaker at the event, though it was noted that he did not mention solar energy once during his address to employees.
Comments
No comments on this item
Only paid subscribers can comment
Please log in to comment by clicking here.