Solar advocates in Arizona and a local utility already have spent $40 million in this mid-term election to attempt to control the adoption rate for solar energy in the state; as such, it may turn out to be the most expensive state battle to date, campaign fund watchers say.
As one of the sunniest states in the US, Arizona has enjoyed early and great success as a leader in solar energy production. With 2,453 megawatts (MW) of solar installed, the US Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) ranks Arizona as #2 for total installed solar capacity.
To complement the big solar and wind project roundup I just published, here’s one focused on solar policy news. ACC Approves Tucson Electric Power’s Bid To Increase Renewable Energy, Sans Utility-Owned Solar Following the ongoing and sometimes bitter confrontation between solar advocates and utilities, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) has … [continued]
Originally published on Solar Love. What’s the first thing you think of when you hear someone say Arizona? Heat? Sunlight? Well, apparently some of Arizona’s leaders don’t want solar power, even though there is plenty of sunlight year round. If you live in the Phoenix area and want to take … [continued]
Arizona is learning a lesson the hard way: When you tax something, the market drops. Exhibit A: Arizona Public Service, a state monopoly, ended up with 426 rooftop solar net metering applications in March compared to 889 in March 2013—that’s a significant 52% drop. Exhibit B: There were only 1,077 … [continued]
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced 192,100 acres of public lands have been designated suitable for renewable energy development, including the 2,550 acre Agua Caliente Solar Energy Zone.
Renewable energy and natural gas provider Sempra US Gas & Power announced Wednesday that it had completed construction of Mesquite Solar 1, the first 150-megawatt phase of the company’s Mesquite Solar complex location in Arlington, Arizona. “We are pleased to continue the momentum of our solar program with the … [continued]
Tuesday morning could be key in deciding Arizona solar policy for years to come. Because of the way public utilities are set up in the state, the five-member Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) has wound up with almost unfettered control of energy policy in the state.
On the agenda: rolling back renewable energy standards, gutting solar rebates, and even forbidding ACC from discussing declining rebates, thanks to infiltration by ALEC, the sinister nationwide shadow group which has just gained effective control over the ACC, via new member Brenda Burns, a former National Chairman of ALEC.
Last week I was in Tucson visiting an old college buddy and he kept asking me what I do. So, naturally, the conversation gravitated towards solar. It was fun as he seemed genuinely interested in solar energy, how economically viable solar was, and what it would take for him to go solar. However, I was a somewhat startled how little he knew about what Arizona offered in terms of financial incentives and how they apply (particularly in conjunction with federal incentives). After working out the numbers for him, I thought it might be useful to spell it out for the masses as well.
Arizona solar advocates are becoming increasingly concerned that commercial solar funding in Arizona will be cut or severely reduced. Specifically, Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is focused on bringing in large utility scale projects while ignoring smaller commercial projects in the local area.
