The Air Force is reportedly finalizing the details of a large solar energy project at Luke AFB, Ariz., that would provide electricity for a majority of the base. The Arizona Republic reported Monday that the 17-megawatt solar system under consideration would be among the largest in the nation, with a power capacity equivalent to running appliances in 4,250 homes at once when the arrays are in direct sunlight. Already the service operates a massive 14-megawatt solar system at Nellis AFB, Nev. Luke already uses solar arrays atop its base exchange.
The Air Force is shoring up its cyber defenses both on and off base for critical infrastructure such as water and electrical power, and industry experts are calling for more, even specialized, dedicated microgrids offsite to support USAF operations in case of a total blackout caused by cyberattacks.
