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Solar comes to the Air Force Academy
Solar comes to the Colorado Springs Air Force Academy
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The Colorado Springs Air Force Academy has a new solar facility. Since I drive up and down Interstate 25 on a daily basis, I’ve watched it gradually take form over the last 6 months and I’ve been curious about exactly what it is and what it provides. Here’s some of the details:
- It was designed and built by SunPower Corp., and is expected to generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 1,200 average American homes each year — or about 12,000 megawatt-hours.
- The photovoltaic array covers 30 acres and cost $18.3 million.
- According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates, the system at the USAFA will avoid more than 9,400 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year, the equivalent of removing 40,900 cars from Colorado’s highways over 25 years.
- The system uses high-efficiency SunPower solar panels with the SunPowerTM T0 Tracker system. The Tracker follows the sun’s movement during the day, increasing sunlight capture by up to 25 percent over conventional fixed-tilt systems
- The Air Force Academy has a Net Zero Initiative by 2020, and this installation moves it one step closer.
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Kathy (719-287-1049) KTorline@msn.com
How to buy a Fort Carson HAP home, or a Peterson AFB Hap Home
Don’t forget about HAP homes
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
If you are buying a home around Peterson AFB, Schriever AFB, Fort Carson, or the Air Force Academy, you may want to know 
about HAP properties.
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- 6 Key things to know about the Homeowners Assistance Program for Military families
HAP stands for Homeowner Assistance Program, and it is designed to help military service members sell homes that are worth less than they paid for it.
For example, if you are looking at a Colorado Springs home where the military seller owes $350,000 on the mortgage, and the home is only worth $300,000, this may be qualified for a HAP approved sale. If the seller qualifies, HAP will cover most of the mortgage loss at the time of sale, and allow you to buy it at it’s current market value. It’s important to note that this is not a traditional short sale and is not subject to lender(s) approval; consequently it doesn’t take nearly as long as a short sale.
HAP, which is run by the Army Corps of Engineers, assists military personnel who are PCSing (permanent change of station) with orders to a new base more than 50 miles away. To qualify Read the rest of this entry »
Relocating to The Air Force Academy? Here’s some great info to make your move easier.
Moving to the Air Force Academy?
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Are you preparing for a move to the Air Force Academy? If so, I hope you find these sites 
helpful. The Academy is celebrating its 50th graduation in May and it continues to educate young men and women for service with The United States Air Force. The Academy has approximately 4000 cadets and graduates about 1000 per year.
If you are moving here with your family, there are four housing areas located on the grounds of the Academy. You can also live off base where there is plenty of housing located in the northern part of Colorado Springs, Monument or Palmer Lake.
Anyone being transferred to the Academy is assigned a sponsor to make your transition easier, but here is some arrival information that will also help make your move go more smoothly.
If you have children of school age, they will be attending the award winning District 20 school system, Read the rest of this entry »
33 unique things to do in Colorado Springs — #4 Air Force Academy Chapel
Air Force Academy
- After fierce competition Colorado Springs finally lands the Air Force Academy
- An early history of Ft. Carson
- History of Ft. Carson part II
Located on the grounds of The United States Air Force Academy, sits Colorado’s top man-made tourist attraction. It’s the cadet chapel and along with the Academy itself was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2004.
It has 17 silvery spires, which are three dimensional, elongated triangles that sweep upward from the building. Stained glass bathes the interior in natural light. Some people complained in the 1960’s when it was completed that it “looked like upended fighter wings and that worshiping there was like going to church in a B-52″. The architect, Walter Netch, wanted the effect to convey the appearance of the great cathedrals of Europe, although done in the modern elements of Read the rest of this entry »
Air Force Academy is finally built in Colorado Springs
Air Force Academy
- An early history of Ft. Carson
- After fierce competition Colorado Springs finally lands the Air Force Academy
- History of Ft. Carson part II
The Federal Government and the Air Force considered the Academy’s design extremely important. Air Force Secretary Talbott stated, ” We want our 
structures to be as efficient and as flexible in their design as the most modern projected aircraft.” The Air Force chose the nationally-recognized architectural firm of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill Associates (SOM) to make its vision for the Academy a reality.
Ground was finally broken in 1955 and as many as 5000 people were needed to build the largest single education facility ever built in the United States
The Academy had a new style of architecture that used glass, aluminum, steel, and concrete rather than traditional materials like stone, marble, or brick. The design sparked heated debate and severe criticism from citizens and politicians alike. Read the rest of this entry »
After fierce competition Colorado Springs finally lands the Air Force Academy
Air Force Academy History
Search for Homes in near the AFA in Colorado Springs
Must Read Posts:
After WWII, the Air Force decided that they needed their own military school. A board was formed in 1950 that recommended the Air Force Academy be established without delay and also proposed that no less than 40% of their officers be academy graduates
But where to put it? Many cities and towns were lobbying for it, as it would bring an economic boom to whomever finally was able to call it their own. Colorado Springs really wanted it. After the war, with the soldiers all leaving Ft. Carson, the Springs was noticing a decline in population which meant apartments, homes and stores were vacant. Colorado Springs formed a chamber of commerce committee. The committee was led by John Love (later a three term governor). It also included Thayer Tutt, Read the rest of this entry »
