Solar panel systems utilized to supply partial or full power to
a facility can produce a substantial financial return as a long-
term investment. The benefits of solar panels will vary
depending on the location of the Air Force Base. For instance,
it may not be a cost effective energy source in climates that
receive little sunlight due to frequent cloud cover or areas
that receive a great deal of shade due to adjacent topography.
The amount of direct or peak sunlight a site receives on a daily
basis will be one of the largest factors affecting the rate of
investment return. The specific design and size of a
photovoltaic system depends on two fundamental variables. First
and foremost, the amount of peak sunlight the area receives on a
daily basis since this directly affects the output capability of
solar panels.