The US Military has been experimenting with quite a few green initiatives, and it looks like at least some are turning out quite successful. A new report from the US Marines reveals that the use of solar panels has reduced diesel consumption by around 90 percent.
The Afghanistan-based 5th Marine Regiment has been utilizing a new program called Experimental Forward Operating Base, or ExFOB for short. This involves using an array of solar panels to power various equipment, which has saved a minimum of eight gallons of diesel, per generator, per day.
“Our generators typically use more than 20 gallons of fuel a day. We are down to 2.5 gallons a day,” Staff Sgt. David Doty said. “The system works amazing. By saving fuel for generators, it has cut back on the number of convoys, meaning less opportunity for one of our vehicles to hit an IED.”
The solar array includes flexible and portable panels carried by marines and solar tarps that are placed over tents, which are powerful enough to power four computers at once.
Via Inhabitat
Image courtesy Gunnery Sgt. William Price
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