Arizona Solar Center - Your Guide to Solar and Other Renewable Energy Sources in Arizona

The Arizona Corporation Commission today launched Arizona Goes Solar, a website created to be a one-stop shop for homeowners and business owners who wish to learn more about opportunities to adopt solar technology and about solar projects already installed in the state.

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Arizona utility regulators are designing rules that would require power companies to buy electricity from solar developers at prearranged prices. The "feed-in tariff" aims to guarantee profits for solar developers, while encouraging more solar-power generation in Arizona.

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The Arizona Commerce Authority announced on Monday that four rural Arizona companies will receive $3.4 million in federal grants to produce innovative renewable-energy products. The projects were selected because of their innovation and potential to create jobs.

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The new solar powered green lighting project along White Mountain Boulevard in Pinetop-Lakeside is done and the lights went live Thursday night. The purpose of the lights is to increase pedestrian safety along White mountain Boulevard as well as for aesthetics.

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Rioglass Solar will bring a large mirror manufacturing plant to Surprise in a $50 million capital investment. The company, based in Madrid, will combine its manufacturing and U.S. headquarters in the building that officials announced on Wednesday.

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Helping customers buy efficient air-conditioners and lightbulbs is cheaper than building power plants and transmission lines. But the efficiency measures have cut Arizona Public Service Co.'s energy sales about 1.1 percent, and that means about $10 million in lost profits annually because the utility is selling less power as people conserve.

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Arizona has been labeled the nation's "Solar Energy King" by a leading business magazine, even though the state just has a handful of solar manufacturers and generating plants so far.

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See also AZ, IA, MI Top List of Alternative Energy Industry Leaders from BusinessFacilities.com on July 27, 2010.

A new process that simultaneously combines the light and heat of solar radiation to generate electricity could offer more than double the efficiency of existing solar cell technology, say the Stanford engineers who discovered it and proved that it works.

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Arizona Public Service Co. has rolled out the names of the first companies to go through an installation program with the utility. The Qualified Solar Installer program gives consumers a way of knowing which companies have gone through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, have the proper licenses and have high customer service ratings.

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The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) has approved Tucson Electric Power's (TEP) Bright Tucson Community Solar Program, whereby participants will be able to purchase shares of solar energy for as little as $3 per month.

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In an effort described as among the most aggressive in the nation, Arizona regulators have approved rules requiring utilities to promote energy efficiency and ultimately cut their projected power sales, a move that also will save customers money.

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A massive solar project at Luke Air Force Base is expected to provide power for a majority of the base by 2011, strengthening the U.S. Defense Department's reputation as Arizona's biggest proponent for renewable power and energy efficiency. Military installations in the state are making aggressive strides toward saving electricity, water and fuel, as part of a federal policy plan launched in 2005 encouraging the Defense Department to get 25 percent of its energy from renewable sources.

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Throughout construction of the new Chandler Compadre branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley, club members had the opportunity to learn about the energy-saving features of the building.

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A Scottsdale company has been awarded $3 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop more efficient batteries for industrial applications.

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APS has announced two updates that they made to the residential Renewable Energy Incentive Program (REIP) on July 2nd, 2010. These updates include the Bi-Weekly Status Report e-mail and customer communication regarding their approved incentive levels.

For the complete letter, click here.

President Obama and DOE Secretary Steve Chu have approved massive loan guarantees to solar projects in the U.S. The biggest announced project was Abengoa's 250 megawatt Solana Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) project in sunny Gila Bend, Arizona.

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The Arizona Corporation Commission rejected a move to regulate solar companies selling power to schools and nonprofits. Wednesday's decision could spur growth for companies that install solar units in the state.

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Meritage Homes opened its first energy-efficient subdivision in Gilbert, with houses aiming to cut energy costs by 80 percent. The 210-home Lyon's Gate subdivision includes homes that meet or exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star Homes ratings, officials said.

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Utility incentives for solar can be considered taxable, but an IRS ruling could save customers more money on residential installations. American Solar Electric received guidance on a tax credit question the industry has struggled with for nearly two years.

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Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed SB 2370, a bill that will help the state foster the development of a fledgling renewable energy industry. A signing ceremony, hosted by ASU President Michael Crow, was held at MacroTechnology Works in the ASU Research Park.

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