The White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico has commissioned a solar microgrid designed to provide backup power to critical water infrastructure at the facility. The system, completed in February of 2025, integrates a 700-kilowatt solar array with a 500-kilowatt lithium-ion battery storage system and a 500-kilowatt natural gas generator. According to Ameresco, the joint venture that built the project, the combined system is engineered to sustain independent operations for up to 14 days in the event of a grid outage, meeting Army requirements for continuous water and power delivery to the main post.
The microgrid demonstrates an integrated approach to energy resilience, with solar panels generating power during daylight hours while the battery system stores excess energy for use when needed. The natural gas generator serves as a secondary backup source if required. The solar array’s mounting infrastructure underwent rigorous engineering and testing, including pull tests to determine proper pile specifications, with 193 foundation piles installed to support the racking system.
The White Sands project comes amid contrasting federal positions on solar energy. While some administration officials have expressed skepticism about solar reliability, characterizing it as intermittent and expensive, the Defense Department has continued investing in solar-enabled microgrids as part of broader energy resilience strategies. The success of the initial White Sands installation has prompted planning for an additional microgrid at the facility, featuring a carport-mounted solar system with battery storage and backup generation capacity.
ABM, an engineering and infrastructure firm, announced the second project on this date in partnership with joint venture AACON-RavenVolt. The companies have positioned themselves to capitalize on growing federal interest in distributed energy resources and grid-independent power systems. RavenVolt representatives indicated that their microgrid approach prioritizes flexibility and standardization, allowing federal agencies to integrate renewable energy sources while maintaining system resilience and avoiding grid constraints.
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