U.S. Air Force joins El Paso Electric to open 5 MW solar project in New Mexico

The U.S. Air Force and El Paso Electric (EPE) have officially celebrated the completion and commercial operation of the Holloman Atlas Solar Array at a ribbon cutting ceremony. The EPE-owned and operated 5 MW solar facility spans 42-acres and supplies Holloman Air Force Base in Otero County, New Mexico.

Holloman Air Force Base and EPE entered into an agreement for the development of the solar facility in 2016 and began construction in 2017. It is EPE's first power plant built to serve a U.S. military installation.

The solar facility is made up of almost 56,000 thin-film modules that will generate enough electricity to power more than 1,700 homes annually. This will prevent annual CO2 emissions by over 9,000 U.S. tons, the equivalent of removing 2,000 cars from the road, and will also save approximately nine million gallons of water.

Exyte Energy, Inc. constructed the Holloman Atlas Solar Array and created over 90 jobs through the duration of the development.