Air Force begins negotiations for largest crystalline solar development in North America Published Dec. 2, 2009 By AFRPA/PA November 17, 2009 -- San Antonio, Texas - The Air Force Real Property Agency is set to begin negotiations with Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, a leading global independent solar power producer, to develop 3,288 acres of Air Force property on Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Once negotiations are finalized and the Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) is signed, the crystalline photovoltaic solar development will be the largest in both the Department of Defense and North America. Upon completion, the Edwards AFB 440 MW development will deliver enough energy to power nearly 89,000 homes. The selection of a highest ranked offeror represents a significant achievement in cooperative partnerships between the Air Force and the local community. Mr. Bob Moore, Director of AFRPA, lauded the selection and the efforts of all parties in reaching this phase in the EUL process. "This is a great achievement for the Air Force, renewable energy, energy security, and all of our community and commercial partners," Mr. Moore said. "We are proud to deliver these sorts of energy solutions to our airmen and surrounding communities." Ms. Kathleen I. Ferguson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, approved the selection of FRV as the HRO following a highly competitive evaluation of developer submitted proposals by a team consisting of AFRPA, Edwards AFB, and Air Force Materiel Command. The EUL program is a major part of AFRPA's mission to manage, acquire and dispose of Air Force real property worldwide. To date, the agency has more than 30 EUL projects in various stages of development at bases throughout the United States and its territories.