Solar Flare

Officials with the Ohio Air National Guard’s 180th Fighter Wing in Toledo, together with local politicians and industry representatives, on Jan. 5 celebrated the new phase of expansion of the solar project at Air Guard base near Toledo Express Airport. Phase 4 expansion will increase by 50 percent the output of this solar energy system, allowing it to generate 1.2 megawatts of electricity, or more than one-third of the base’s energy needs, reported the Toledo Free Press Jan. 8. Development and construction of this solar field began in 2006. It is the largest solar field in the state of Ohio and the largest on any National Guard base in the country. In less than two years, it has already saved the base about $140,000 in electricity costs, said Col. Mark Bartman, 180th FW commander. (Includes 180th FW report by Capt. Gary Bentley)