Arizona Solar Challenge Progress Bodes Well For APS Investment
Arizona Public Service is investing in the development of 200 MW of solar power plants across the state. This announcement comes after APS has seen astounding success with the Arizona Solar Challenge — a program to help owner-occupied homes achieve more than 5 percent solar by 2015.
Clearly, solar makes sense for Arizona. More than 5 of the Arizona Solar Challenge's 14 towns have already surpassed the program's 5 percent goal. An official Arizona Solar Community sign was just installed in two locations in Goodyear, where Mayor Georgia Lord could not have been more proud to see residents reaping the benefits of a wise, clean investment.
But homeowners aren't the only ones seeing the potential to reap the benefits of a bright investment.
APS just announced a Request for Proposal (RFP) from solar developers and installers to construct a 32-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic facility in Gila Bend, Ariz. This project will be financed by APS through the company's AZ Sun Program and and is expected to provide electricity to more than 8,000 Arizona homes. And create more than 2,000 local jobs, just in construction.
The potential for solar in Arizona is endless. While other less sunny states might not see the same rate of growth, they can certainly learn from the wise investments and important roles that utilities can play, as demonstrated by the Arizona Solar Challenge and this new AZ Sun Program.