NanoVoltaix Company Blog (Solar) - Arizona Local News

Suntech Selects Arizona for First U.S. Manufacturing Plant

nospam@example.com (chief editor) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:17:18 -0700

BEIJING, Nov. 15 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- From the U.S. China Green Tech Summit today, Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), announced that its first U.S. manufacturing plant for the growing North American market would be located in the Greater Phoenix, Arizona area. The plant will have an initial production capacity of 30 megawatts (MW) and is expected to begin production in the third quarter of 2010. The announcement makes Suntech the first Chinese cleantech leader to bring manufacturing jobs to America. Suntech selected the Greater Phoenix area for its plant because of Arizona's leadership in research through Arizona State University, and statewide renewable energy policies, particularly its Renewable Energy Standard and distributed generation set-aside, as well as a supportive local business climate represented by the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. The Suntech U.S. plant will employ over 75 full-time employees at launch and may double its staff within the year as the North American market develops. Initially starting with 30 MW of PV module production capacity, the Suntech plant is configured for growth to respond to the expected expansion of the U.S. solar market in the coming years. The U.S. market had 356MW of solar PV capacity installed during 2008 (source: Photon Magazine, Nov. 2009), and is expected to grow six-fold to more than 2GW by 2012 (source: Solarbuzz LLC, Mar. 2009). "Bringing manufacturing jobs to the U.S. is part of Suntech's vision to grow the solar market in every corner of the world," said Suntech's Chairman and CEO Dr. Zhengrong Shi. "We are eagerly watching growing markets and see the potential of bringing manufacturing capabilities to other markets where we see the combination of rapid local market growth and manufacturing cost competitiveness." Locating the plant close to Suntech's U.S. customers will reduce the time, costs, and emissions associated with long-distance shipping of Suntech panels. The plant, which will be approximately 80,000 to 100,000 square feet, will allow for long-term growth of manufacturing capabilities to meet increasing American demand for solar power. "Suntech has been a leader to watch for some time, and its decision to bring manufacturing here to the U.S. is a great sign of the increasingly important collaboration between Chinese and American leaders in the renewable energy industry, as well as the potential for growth of green jobs in countries that implement smart, supportive policies," said Dan Kammen, Professor in the Energy and Resources Group and Director of the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Shi continued, "This is the first step in what I see as a long-term, strategic investment in the North American market. Over the last two years we have grown our U.S. team to over 60 employees. As a result of that effort, we have developed a network of over 200 solar dealers and integrators installing Suntech products and are actively involved with a number of large-scale solar project developers serving the utility market. We also have developed strong partnerships with U.S. companies such as MEMC of Pasadena, Texas, our largest supplier of silicon wafers used in our modules. The leadership shown by the US government in advancing renewable energy will only improve the environment for further investments in the coming years." Suntech plans to make a final decision on the specific location of the plant in the coming weeks.

About Suntech Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP) is the world's leading solar energy company as measured by production output of crystalline silicon solar modules. Suntech designs, develops, manufactures, and markets premium quality, high-output, cost-effective and environmentally friendly solar products for electric power applications in the residential, commercial, industrial, and public utility sectors. Suntech offers an extensive range of customer-centric innovations, including its patent-pending Pluto technology for crystalline silicon solar cells, which improves power output by up to 12% compared to conventional production methods, its Reliathon(TM) module and platform, the industry's first fully integrated utility-scale solar platform, and its broad range of building-integrated solar products. Suntech designs and delivers commercial and utility scale solar power systems in China and the United States. With regional headquarters in China, Switzerland and San Francisco and sales offices worldwide, Suntech is passionate about improving the environment we live in and dedicated to developing advanced solar solutions that enable sustainable development. For more information, please visit http://www.suntech-power.com .

Phoenix, AZ, USA: Science Foundation Arizona Launches Five Solar Technology Initiatives

nospam@example.com (chief editor) — Wed, 06 May 2009 09:30:04 -0600

solarbuzz.com

In a collaborative effort, Solar Technology Institute (STI) is deploying Arizona's significant solar resources with industry and the research strengths of the University of Arizona and Arizona State University to grow the state's global leadership in renewable energy. STI is being led by two pioneers in the solar field, Richard Powell and Robert Annan who serve as co-directors. The Stardust Foundation is assisting in the financial support of the investments.

"With STI's combined expertise, we can leverage our financial and brainpower capital toward the best solar initiatives and breakthroughs in new solar products and technologies," said William C. Harris, president and CEO, Science Foundation Arizona. "These returns on investment can significantly impact Arizona's emerging prominence in solar and position the state to benefit from upcoming federal competitions."

"Arizona Corporation Commission's Renewable Energy Standards require 15 percent of all regulated electric utilities to generate 15 percent of their energy from renewable resources by 2025," said Kristin Mayes, chairman, Arizona Corporation Commission. "The Solar Technology Institute is an important step in this process and we applaud Science Foundation Arizona for its vision and significant impact in helping achieve our renewable energy goals."

"The industry collaboration being encouraged by Science Foundation Arizona through the Solar Technology Institute is significant for Arizona in strengthening our core competitive advantage," said Don Brandt, CEO, Arizona Public Service. "This synergy will not only push Arizona to the forefront of solar technology, it will increase the number of highly skilled, high-paying jobs in the state."

The Solar Technology Institute will catalyze solar technology advances and the commercialization of products and services that foster new industry growth through five solar investments.

Continue reading "Phoenix, AZ, USA: Science Foundation Arizona Launches Five Solar Technology Initiatives"

SolFocus Cuts Ribbon on Expanded Glassworks Factory in Mesa, Arizona

nospam@example.com (chief editor) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:45:37 -0600

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SolFocus, the leading developer of Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) systems, announced today the completion of its expanded solar glass reflector manufacturing factory in Mesa, Ariz. With over a 175 percent increase in manufacturing floor space and a new line of advanced manufacturing equipment, the SolFocus Glassworks facility will have the capacity to produce 2 million concentrating reflectors annually for 30 MW of solar power generation – over 15 times the plant’s capacity in 2008.

The facility makes the city of Mesa one of the first municipal examples in the U.S. of the “new energy economy” as envisioned by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). With a projected growth to over 150 full-time employees by the end of 2009 – a 200 percent increase over 2008 – the expansion demonstrates the combined value of local economic development and global investment in sustainable energy. As an advanced energy technology producer, SolFocus plans to utilize the 30 percent manufacturing investment tax credit, as set forth in ARRA. From a demand perspective, ARRA provides the municipality of Mesa access to funds for investment in innovative solar energy generation technology, which will create even more jobs and economic benefit to the city.

“Mesa is an example of a town poised to become the living and breathing paradigm of a vibrant green economy,” said Jason Ellsworth, vice president and general manager of the SolFocus Glassworks facility. “In addition to providing green collar jobs in the factory, Mesa is positioned to create additional long-term, high-skilled jobs, through the deployment, operation and maintenance of solar installations, which is expected to create approximately 80-90 working man-years for each megawatt of solar energy put into operation.”

The proprietary, convex mirrors manufactured at the facility serve as a critical component within the SolFocus CPV system design. As part of a full CPV system, the mirrors reflect the sun’s rays 500 times onto a solar cell, which enables the system to produce solar power with industry-leading panel conversion efficiency levels of 25 percent. From an industry perspective, the demand that drove this expansion signals the transition of CPV from the research and development stage to commercialization.

Continue reading "SolFocus Cuts Ribbon on Expanded Glassworks Factory in Mesa, Arizona"

First Solar to Build 48 Megawatt Photovoltaic Power Plant for Sempra Generation in Nevada

nospam@example.com (chief editor) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:42:51 -0600

TEMPE, Ariz., Apr 15, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) today announced it has executed an agreement to build a 48 megawatt (MW) AC ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) power plant for Sempra Generation. This project would expand the 10MW AC power plant First Solar completed for Sempra Generation in 2008, which is located near Boulder City, Nev.

First Solar will design, engineer and construct the PV power plant. The Company expects to begin construction in 2009. Once construction is completed in 2010, the combined 58MW AC project is expected to be the largest PV power plant in North America.

"We are pleased to have the opportunity to expand this 10MW project to 58MW--more than five times its original size, advancing our mission of providing clean, affordable solar electricity," said John Carrington, First Solar executive vice president of marketing and business development. "Sempra Generation's decision to use First Solar in expanding the El Dorado solar plant demonstrates our ability to provide a cost-effective energy solution for utility scale projects."

As is the case with the original 10MW AC solar plant, the 48MW AC project will be constructed adjacent to Sempra Generation's existing 480MW El Dorado Energy power plant, located about 40 miles southeast of Las Vegas. Sempra Generation will own and operate the PV power plant. The agreement is conditioned upon Sempra Generation executing a power purchase agreement with a utility customer for the electricity generated by the PV power plant and applicable state and local regulatory approvals.

First Solar sees breakthrough in manufacturing costs

nospam@example.com (chief editor) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 08:33:44 -0700

John Walko
EE Times Europe

LONDON — Solar module manufacturer First Solar Inc. had both bright and subdued forecasts for the emerging solar industry, unsettling investors with suggestions that it expects demand to fall, competition to increase and huge financial challenges for the industry in the near future, as it revealed it had broken the $1/watt price barrier by reducing manufacturing costs to just $0.98/watt.

The company also posted better than expected fourth-quarter profits and revenues.

"This achievement marks a milestone in the solar industry's evolution toward providing truly sustainable energy solutions," said First Solar CEO Mike Ahearn, referring to the manufacturing costs breakthrough.

First Solar (Tempe, AZ) has been manufacturing solar modules since 2004 and has massively increased manufacturing capacity to more than 500 MW in 2008.

Continue reading "First Solar sees breakthrough in manufacturing costs"

Spire Selected to Provide Advanced Solar Simulator to TÜV Rheinland PTL

nospam@example.com (chief editor) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 08:44:45 -0700

BEDFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Spire Corporation (Nasdaq: SPIR), a global solar company providing turnkey solar factories and capital equipment to manufacture and test photovoltaic modules and cells worldwide, today announced that it has delivered to TÜV Rheinland PTL, LLC (TÜV Rheinland) the critical test equipment for their test and certification operations in the United States.

TÜV Rheinland, a new private venture, significantly upgrades the technology and know-how of the former Arizona State University Photovoltaic Testing Laboratory (ASU-PTL) and moves to a strategic location in Tempe, Arizona, USA close to both ASU and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. With a new facility and additional human resources, the laboratory more than doubles its previous capacity and now provides a unique one-stop source for clients to get full testing and certification for all safety and performance standards in use by the industry anywhere in the world.

The recently opened 40,000 square foot facility is staffed with the world’s most technically competent and capable solar testing team and is equipped with state-of-the-art solar simulators and temperature-humidity environments. Clients can take advantage of full system testing for all photovoltaic system components, including inverters, grid-tied electronics, controllers, motion and tracking devices, and wireless control electronics. In addition, clients can get technical direction and testing on standards for newly emerging technologies such as concentrating photovoltaic, concentrating solar power, and building-integrated photovoltaic.

Continue reading "Spire Selected to Provide Advanced Solar Simulator to TÜV Rheinland PTL"

Arizona Manufactured Solar Panels Enter Market

nospam@example.com (chief editor) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:47:29 -0700

SCOTTSDALE & TUCSON, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Solar Electric, Inc. and Solon Corporation today announced a photovoltaic (PV) module supply agreement. The agreement initially calls for Solon to supply over 1.5 megawatts (MW) of its Tucson-manufactured solar panels to American Solar Electric, marking Solon’s entrance into the U.S. residential market segment. The combination of design and installation services from Arizona-based American Solar Electric and Arizona-manufactured products from Solon offers the most complete Arizona solution for residential PV systems to date.

“The addition of Solon’s products to our line of grid-connected PV systems marks the start of a new chapter in Arizona’s solar history. For the first time, Arizonans will have the opportunity to have locally manufactured solar panels installed on their homes. We are very excited to be installing the first residential systems with 'Made in Arizona' solar panels,” said Sean Seitz, President of American Solar Electric.

American Solar Electric will begin installing Solon’s high-quality, German-engineered solar panels later this month. The initial focus is on supplying American Solar Electric’s burgeoning residential business segment with deployment to the company’s non-residential customers later in the year. The initial agreement will furnish enough solar electric panels for the installation of 375 average-sized residential systems; in total this equates to offsetting the carbon sequestered by nearly 50,000 trees.

“American Solar Electric has an outstanding reputation for quality design and installation throughout Arizona. We are pleased to name American Solar Electric as our preferred installer for Arizona,” said Solon Corporation’s CEO Olaf Koester.

“This partnership is an exciting outgrowth of Arizona’s Renewable Energy Standard (RES),” said Corporation Commissioner Kris Mayes. “When we were crafting the RES, we deliberately created an aggressive distributed generation component, not only to help homeowners and businesses to put solar panels on their rooftops, but also in the hopes that someday we would see those solar panels manufactured right here in Arizona.”

Solon’s Tucson manufacturing facility opened last October, and is currently employing around 130 people. In its first phase, the production site will have an annual capacity of 100 MW.

World’s Largest CIGS Thin-Film Solar Array Goes Live in Tucson, Arizona

nospam@example.com (chief editor) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:27:15 -0700

TUCSON, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Global Solar Energy, a leading manufacturer of Copper Indium Gallium diSelenide (CIGS) thin-film solar cells, yesterday announced the full operation of the largest solar electric array worldwide using CIGS photovoltaic (PV) technology. The 750-kilowatt (kW) system, located at Global Solar’s manufacturing facility in Tucson, is the first commercial-scale deployment of the company’s highly efficient CIGS thin-film solar technology and will help power its manufacturing plant.

The innovative system is financed, owned and operated by MMA Renewable Ventures, LLC, a subsidiary of Municipal Mortgage & Equity, LLC (OTC:MMAB.PK). SOLON Corporation, a fully-owned subsidiary of SOLON AG, produced and installed the PV modules and designed the array. Covering 310,000 square feet at Global Solar’s manufacturing plant, the system features a ground-mounted solar array that uses 6,600 SOLON solar modules incorporating Global Solar’s CIGS thin-film solar cells. Offering cost and manufacturing advantages, CIGS thin-film is poised to become a leading solar technology.

“This new solar system solidifies the vitality and longevity of CIGS technology in the thin-film space,” said Mike Gering, president and CEO of Global Solar Energy. “We are proud to be instrumental in this industry first and excited to be a part of one of MMA’s cutting-edge projects. As the only CIGS provider to have its technology powering a commercial-scale solar array, Global Solar Energy continues to prove itself as a solar industry leader.”

Global Solar is purchasing the power generated from MMA Renewable Ventures under the terms of a long-term commercial financing agreement. The thin-film solar power system will generate more than 1.1 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of renewable electricity annually at Global Solar’s 100,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. The ground-mounted solar energy system will offset 30,000 tons of carbon dioxide over its expected 25-year lifetime.

“This operational solar array is a monumental step in America’s energy revolution,” SOLON Corporation’s CEO Olaf Koester said. “CIGS technology will contribute to driving down solar energy prices, bringing renewable energy to the masses.” SOLON Corporation’s vision is to help spark the widespread adoption of solar energy in the United States by designing, constructing and maintaining large-scale photovoltaic power plants.

“We are constantly looking for ways to deliver affordable energy at scale,” said Matt Cheney, CEO of MMA Renewable Ventures. “Global Solar is a leader in CIGS materials and we value the opportunity to showcase its thin-film technology, an innovation in the solar market.”

Tucson Electric Power helped fund the project through its agreement to purchase the renewable energy credits generated by the array’s clean energy. The credits will help TEP pursue goals established under Arizona’s Renewable Energy Standard, which calls on electric utilities to work toward securing 15 percent of their power from renewable resources by 2015.

“This project helps us build toward the clean energy future we envision for Arizona,” said Philip Dion, vice president of Legal and Environmental Services for Tucson Electric Power and its parent company, UniSource Energy Corporation (NYSE:UNS). “Companies such as Global Solar, MMA and SOLON exemplify the best and brightest in renewable energy technology, and we’re proud of their contribution to our community’s renewable energy resources.”

First Solar Announces Completion of 2MW Solar Power Plant for Southern California Edison

nospam@example.com (chief editor) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:55:03 -0700

TEMPE, Ariz., Dec 01, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) announces the completion of Southern California Edison's (SCE) 2 megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic power plant installed on the rooftop of a commercial building in Fontana, California. This is the first project in SCE's announced plan to install 250MW of solar generating capacity on large commercial rooftops throughout Southern California over the next five years. First Solar engineered the rooftop system, manufactured the solar modules and supplied the balance-of-system equipment for this SCE landmark project.

Under a formal bid process, SCE today announced the selection of First Solar for the second project of its 250MW rooftop initiative. The second project will be a 1MW project installed on a commercial building in Chino, California.

"SCE is leading the energy sector with its innovative strategy to use commercial rooftops in highly populated areas for new solar generation installations, selecting sites where customer peak demand is highest," said John Carrington, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing and Business Development. "SCE's 250MW solar rooftop initiative brings essential energy sources to the grid quickly, supports California's economy with new green jobs and protects our environment by developing more clean solar energy for Californians."

"This innovative solar rooftop initiative is a natural extension of our industry leadership in renewable energy," said Ted Craver, Edison International chairman and CEO. "We are driving solar technology forward and identifying creative new ways to integrate solar power into the electricity grid. A program of this scale could transform solar generation, helping bring costs down and providing us with another important way to meet the environmental challenges of the future."

First Solar and SolarCity Announce 100MW Module Supply Agreement to Serve U.S. Residential Segment

nospam@example.com (chief editor) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 10:09:17 -0600

TEMPE, Ariz. & FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq:FSLR) and SolarCity Corporation today announced a module supply agreement and investment that will make solar power an affordable option for more U.S. homeowners and businesses. The two companies have entered into a five-year agreement that calls for First Solar to supply 100 megawatts of its advanced thin film solar modules to SolarCity, marking First Solar’s entrance into the U.S. residential segment. Pursuant to the agreement, First Solar will begin delivering modules to SolarCity in the first quarter of 2009. First Solar will also make a $25 million equity investment in SolarCity; part of a $30 million round of financing that will fund SolarCity’s continued U.S. expansion.

SolarCity, one of the nation’s leading residential solar installers, currently serves California, Arizona, and Oregon with plans to expand into additional states. SolarCity’s innovative SolarLease™ financing option allows homeowners to switch to solar power for less money than they currently pay for electricity from their power company, without the need for a large upfront investment.

With years of high volume production and system performance monitoring, First Solar has demonstrated proven efficiencies leading to high energy yields, low production costs and predictable energy performance. First Solar’s industry-leading modules make it possible for SolarCity to serve residential and small commercial markets where solar was not previously an affordable option.

“The combination of First Solar’s modules with SolarCity’s innovative approach to designing, financing and maintaining complete solar solutions enables homeowners and small business owners to lower their electricity costs while reducing air pollution and the effects of global warming,” said Mike Ahearn, First Solar’s chief executive officer.

“Our relationship with First Solar will enable us to deliver affordable solar power to a wider market of residential and small commercial customers,” said Lyndon Rive, chief executive officer of SolarCity. “We believe that together, SolarCity and First Solar are uniquely capable of making solar power competitive with the cost of electricity generated from fossil fuels across the U.S.,—making solar a mainstream source of electricity in the next several years.”

ASU, APS join TUV in solar testing

nospam@example.com (chief editor) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 09:13:30 -0600

Tony Natale, Tribune

Arizona State University, Arizona Public Service and an international solar company are merging their resources to create a new solar-testing joint venture in Tempe.

The creation of the new testing team is expected to attract solar-oriented companies and scientific research to the Valley from throughout the world, according to spokesmen for the three agencies.

The new business is being formed by TUV Rheinland Group, a $1.5 billion corporation based in Germany, and ASU’s Photovoltaic Testing Laboratory. TUV Rheinland Group, which has more than 12,500 employees and facilities in more than 62 countries, primarily tests and certifies solar-energy equipment.

ASU’s Photovoltaic Testing Lab has issued more than 250 qualification certificates and tested more than 2,500 solar modules since 1997.

Photovoltaic modules convert sunlight directly into electric current.

The partners will form a new company called TUV Rheinland PTL LLC, which will establish a photovoltaic testing facility in a 40,000-square foot building in a business park on Roosevelt Street south of Broadway in Tempe.

“The building is ideally near the ASU Tempe campus and Sky Harbor International Airport,” said Rob Melnick, executive director of ASU’s Global Institute of Sustainability.

ASU will provide the venture with more than 20 years of technical knowledge in solar testing, particularly for complex devices, said Melnick.

The partnership will expand ASU’s ability to test solar devices to include safety certification, he said. Previously ASU could only test solar equipment for performance, and safety testing will broaden the market and attract business from all over the world, Melnick said.

APS will provide five acres of outdoor testing space at the utility’s Solar Test and Research (STAR) Center at McClintock and University Drive, Tempe.

TUV Rheinland will be the principal investor in the new company.

“The potent combination of business, university and utility solar test assets will enable TUV Rheinland PTL, LLC to be the first in the world to offer full-scale photovoltaic testing and certification,” said Stephan Schmitt, president and CEO of TUV Rheinland North American Holding.

First Solar Breaks Ground on Expansion of its Manufacturing and Development Facilities in Ohio

nospam@example.com (chief editor) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:03:28 -0600

TEMPE, Ariz., (BUSINESS WIRE) -- First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq:FSLR) announced that the Company held the official groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of its Perrysburg, Ohio facility. Upon completion, the expansion will increase the annual capacity at the Perrysburg facility to approximately 192 megawatts, based on run rates for the second quarter of 2008. The new investment will add at least 134 new jobs to the Company's current workforce of 700 at its Perrysburg facility.

The expansion, announced on Aug. 18, 2008, will add approximately 500,000 square feet of manufacturing, research and development and office space. The Company will also construct a separate facility to support increased development activities associated with its advanced thin film solar module manufacturing technology.

First Solar President Bruce Sohn officiated over the groundbreaking celebration, which was attended by Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, U.S. Senators George Voinovich and Sherrod Brown, as well as a number of guests representing state and local government. First Solar has collaborated with the State of Ohio and local leaders on a comprehensive incentive package for these two projects. Today's groundbreaking puts First Solar on track to complete plant construction by the first half of 2009, with full volume production expected by the second quarter of 2010.

"First Solar is excited to move forward with this expansion. Our growing capacity allows us to continue reducing the cost of solar electricity to a level competitive with conventional sources," said Mr. Sohn. "The associates at our Ohio manufacturing plant are making a singular contribution to energy supply and a cleaner, healthier environment."

"Advanced energy can not only power our homes, it can power our economy," Gov. Strickland said. "And this new First Solar investment is one more big piece of evidence that advanced energy has a home in Ohio."

SOURCE: First Solar, Inc.

Tax credits to help solar, wind projects in Arizona

nospam@example.com (chief editor) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:30:57 -0600

by Ryan Randazzo The Arizona Republic

Arizona's biggest solar-power plant, its first wind-power plant and countless other renewable-energy projects can move ahead after Friday's House endorsement of a huge bailout package.

Tacked on to the relief bill were 30 percent tax-credit extensions for wind and solar that bounced around Congress for the past year, leaving many projects in doubt, from household solar panels to 300-foot-tall wind turbines.

The credits also will benefit homeowners who install solar panels to power their houses, substantially reducing the price of such systems, which typically run in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Among the top projects in Arizona to benefit from the extensions is the Solana Generating Station, a huge solar-power plant near Gila Bend from which Arizona Public Service Co. hopes to purchase electricity starting in 2011.

The plant developer, Abengoa Solar Inc. of Spain, said the project would not be economical without the credits.

"No question this is significant and positive," APS spokesman Jim McDonald said. "We were confident it would pass sometime this year."

Solar credits were extended eight years, while wind credits got only a one-year extension.

Wind-power proponents balanced their praise for the credits Friday with an eye toward winning a longer extension.

"We are very pleased that Congress extended the production tax credit for wind, enabling our industry to continue our rapid growth and U.S. job creation," Steven Lockard, president and CEO of wind-turbine blade maker TPI Composites Inc. in Scottsdale, said in a prepared statement.

"In 2009, we hope the focus turns to providing long-term stable policy to support continued expansion of wind energy."

Many wind projects require a year or more of monitoring to ensure the most-efficient turbines are installed at the proper height to generate the most electricity, so the wind extension benefits only projects that are near breaking ground.

Arizona is scheduled to get its first commercial wind project near Snowflake before 2010, with the entire electrical output of the farm contracted to Salt River Project.

"It's possible, had the tax credit not been extended, that the plant wouldn't have happened," SRP spokesman Scott Harelson said. "We had a contract for a product at a price that assumed the tax credit. (The developer) could have gone forward, but would have needed to find a customer, it might have been SRP, who would pay a higher price for that electricity."

Homeowners who install solar panels will benefit substantially from the credits.

For example, a medium-size system might retail for more than $42,000. But rebates from local utilities and a state tax credit can cover about $20,000 of that cost, according to American Solar Electric Inc. in Scottsdale.

The remaining $22,000 still represents a significant investment, more than what many homeowners spend on a car.

But the 30 percent tax credits are worth almost $13,000 on such a system, knocking the out-of-pocket price below $10,000, according to the company's figures.

Those credits are even sweeter after the extension because they previously were capped at $2,000.

"(The tax credit) creates an unprecedented opportunity to own a residential solar-electric power system," American Solar Electric President Sean Seitz said.

Go-ahead given for solar plant near Gila Bend

nospam@example.com (chief editor) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 08:49:47 -0600

by Dawn Gilbertson
The Arizona Republic

State utility regulators on Wednesday gave Arizona Public Service Co. the go-ahead to proceed with plans for a huge new solar-energy plant near Gila Bend.

The Arizona Corporation Commission said the Solana Generating Station will add diversity to APS' mix of energy sources and, importantly, help it meet its renewable-energy resource requirements.

The 280-megawatt Solana Generation Station will be able to power 70,000 Arizona homes at its peak output and would be the largest solar plant in the world if it opened today.

APS won't own or operate the generating station but will contract with Abengoa Solar Inc., a Spanish technology company, for all the electricity Solana generates. Solana is due to open in 2011.

APS officials said the commission's go-ahead is a key step in the project, although regulators still must approve the financing plan for the project and APS' request to include the solar-energy costs in its rates.

Pat Dinkel, who is overseeing the project for APS, said Wednesday's green light from regulators is an important step that will help usher in "a totally new chapter in generation for Arizona energy."

"It takes us a long way toward Arizona's energy future because it provides us with an independent energy source," he said.

Solar power got a big boost Tuesday after the Senate broke a months-long logjam and passed a $17 billion energy-tax package. If approved by the House, the bill would extend for eight years a soon-to-expire subsidy that provides any business that installs or builds a solar-energy system a 30 percent rebate of the cost in the form of a tax credit.

Solar firm to open factory in Tucson

nospam@example.com (chief editor) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 09:09:32 -0600

by Cathryn Creno - Sept. 14, 2008
The Arizona Republic

A Tucson subsidiary of a German solar manufacturing company says it will open a 105,000-square-foot factory in the southern Arizona city next month and create 200 green-collar jobs in Arizona by the end of 2009.

Solon Corp., a subsidiary of Solon AG in Berlin, said it would manufacture individual photovoltaic solar modules that go on the roofs of buildings as well as larger systems the company says can operate as self-sufficient solar-energy power plants.

"We have been very low-profile," said Neil Shea, director of business development and marketing for Solon Corp. "Not a lot of people know about us yet. But this business is very growth-oriented. There are going to be a lot of good jobs in it in the future."

He said the factory will open at 6950 S. Country Club Road in Tucson on Oct. 17.

In June, the Greater Phoenix Economic Council said that Arizona would miss out on more than 3,800 new jobs, $2.3 billion in investment and $732 million in state and local revenues in the next decade because nine solar companies last year could have come here but elected to settle in other states.

Solar companies are coveted in areas that are losing semiconductor jobs. GPEC said the number of Arizonans working for semiconductor and related manufacturers has dropped from about 34,000 in 2001 to about 22,000 in 2007.

Both presidential candidates are pushing alternative-energy sources. They also advocate creation of green-collar jobs.

Shea, who worked in the semiconductor industry before getting interested in solar, said Solon arrived in Arizona in 2007 and opened a smaller, temporary factory in Tucson that spring.

He said the company now employs about 100 people who make solar panels for use in Germany as well as in the U.S. He said he expected the new factory to employ 200 by the end of 2009.

Solon has owned part of Tucson-based Global Solar Energy Inc. since 2006. That company also makes solar panels, but uses a different process to create lightweight flexible products said to be portable enough to be used by campers and the military.

Shea said Solon intends to target larger customers such as municipalities, schools and companies that want enough panels to be energy self-sufficient.

He said Solon does not sell solar panels directly to individual homeowners but would instead supply them to a company that outfits homes with systems.

Shea said the Tucson factory's customers include the Salt River Project, Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative Inc., Tucson Electric Power Co. and Blue Ridge High School.