With the participation of 12 Arizona utilities, on September 1st, 2010, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) in the US state of Arizona launched a new website which it describes as "one-stop source on information for Arizona's solar future". "Arizona Goes Solar" offers information on utility, state and federal incentive programs, the state's renewable energy standard (RES) and workshops, as well as existing solar capacity, and is targeted to homeowners and business owners in the state. "The Commission is hoping that Arizonagoessolar.org will be the meet-up place for every Arizonan who is interested in solar energy in our state", said ACC Chairman Kris Mayes. "This website will increase the transparency of solar rebates and incentives, and provide a real-time look at where solar systems are being deployed and how much energy they can produce." 

Solar map

In addition to the other features of the website, Arizona Goes Solar offers a solar map which is updated bi-weekly, providing information on the location of residential, commercial and utility-scale installations and reservations throughout the state. The map can be searched by zip code, so that residents can see the kind and quantity of solar installations in their area.

Arizona had the fourth-highest amount of solar photovoltaic (PV) installations at 23MW in the United States in 2009, giving the state the fifth highest PV capacity nationally at 50MW. The state passed a renewable electricity standard (RES) in 2006, similar to a renewable portfolio standard (RPS), which requires that utilities purchase or generate 15% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025. Under the policy extra credit is given for in-state solar installations.

Participating utilities in "Arizona Goes Solar" include Arizona Public Service Company (Phoenix, Arizona, US), Tucson Electric Power Company (Tucson, Arizona, US) and a number of electric cooperatives.

2010-09-03| Courtesy: Arizona Corporation Commission | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH

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