Things have really been buzzing around PowerFilm of late, in addition to day to day operations humming along at top speed, we have had the honor of hosting two VIPs from Washington DC. As we mentioned in an earlier post the Honorable Katherine Hammack, Assistant Secretary of the Army, took the time to tour our manufacturing facility and learn more about how our solar panels (remote power) products have a positive effect to increase force protection, mission effectiveness and offer cost savings. Just two weeks later we were privileged to host the Honorable Sharon Burke, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Operational Energy Plans and Programs. Ms. Burke also toured our manufacturing facility and received first-hand knowledge of our efforts to serve the US Military and Government, especially the Soldiers in the field.
In June of 2010 President Obama established ASD Burke’s position at the Pentagon in recognition of the fact that reducing our Armed Forces’ reliance on fuel in combat directly improves warfighting capabilities – making our troops more agile, lethal and flexible.
Not only did ASD Burke learn more about our efforts in remote power but confirmed for us why remote power is so critical to the future. Here are a few facts ASD Burke mentioned:
- Recent military experience sent the demand signal for better energy options directly from the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thousands of troops have been killed or injured moving and protecting fuel in dangerous supply convoys over the past decade.
- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey said “Because fundamentally we know that saving energy saves lives. In Afghanistan, fewer supply convoys will directly relate to fewer casualties.” http://www.jcs.mil/speech.aspx?ID=1656
- The Department of Defense is the nation’s single largest consumer of energy. In 2011, DoD spent over $15B to purchase almost 5B gallons of fuel for planes, ships, combat vehicles and forward operating bases. In Afghanistan, the military uses approximately 50M gallons of fuel each month.
- The Army estimates that a Soldier on a three-day patrol must carry seven different battery types – weighing up to 30 pounds. Recent advances in rechargeable batteries, paired with portable solar recharging technology [PowerFilm solar] reduces the weight and number of batteries carried by troops and can reduce the resupply requirements on the battlefield.
There is something very fulfilling when you learn that the products you make are being used to make the United States stronger and will lead to better effectiveness of our military personnel while saving lives. That is why will continue to improve our solar technology to meets today’s needs an anticipating future power needs of the government and military.
It’s also pretty cool that we make the same technology available to everyone. All PowerFilm solar products accessible in retail markets are made with the same materials and exacting standards as those being used by the military.
For more information about ASD Burke please find her biography at http://www.defense.gov/bios/biographydetail.aspx?biographyid=259
