State Solar Policy

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Arizona Solar

Arizona's solar industry is growing quickly. It is one of the sunniest states and it is experiencing one of the largest increases in solar installations in the nation. 

Facts on the Arizona Solar Industry

Arizona solar policy - a top priority for SEIAArizona installed more utility-scale solar in 2012 than any other state. Tweet this fact.
  • There are currently more than 284 solar companies at work throughout the value chain in Arizona, employing 9,800.
  • 256 MW of solar were installed in Arizona in the fourth quarter of 2012. This marks a 33% increase over the last quarter and a 41% increase over the same quarter last year. Arizona ranked 2nd nationally in Q4 installations. See more solar state rankings.
  • In 2012, Arizona installed 710 MW of solar electric capacity, ranking it 2nd nationally.
  • The 1097 MW of solar energy currently installed in Arizona ranks the state 2nd in the country in installed solar capacity.  There is enough solar energy installed in the state to power 139,000 homes.
  • In 2012, $590 million was invested in Arizona to install solar on homes and businesses.
  • Average installed residential and commercial photovoltaic system prices in Arizona continue to fall--by 20% from last year. National prices have also dropped steadily--by 14% from last year and 31% since 2010.

Get more solar industry data.

SEIA Arizona State Policy Priorities

  • Promote distributed generation (including wholesale DG) policies.
  • Encourage solar-friendly rates in the discussion of the Tucson Electric Power (TEP) rate case.
  • Revise the Commercial tax credit to ensure companies can take advantage of the full credit for their installations.
  • Ensure future access to net metering for solar customers.

Notable Solar Installations in Arizona

  • Once fully complete, the Agua Caliente Solar Project in Yuma County will produce enough clean energy to power 100,000 homes annually. 250 MW of the 290 MW capacity project has been commissioned and is currently online. Energy from the facility will displace 220,000 metric tons of CO2 per year, the equivalent of taking 40,000 cars off the road.
  • Abengoa Solana in Gila Bend is expected to come online in 2013. At peak construction, this 280 MW photovoltaic project will provide up to 1,000 jobs. Arizona Public Service Co. estimates the project will bring $1 billion in investment to the state.
  • Mesquite Solar in Arlington is expected to come online by 2013. Currently 84 MW of the project is operating. When fully completed, the photovoltaic solar farm will generate enough clean electricity to power 56,000 homes and create 300 local construction jobs.

See our solar installations maps

Solar Companies in Arizona

  • There are currently more than 284 solar companies at work throughout the value chain in Arizona.  These companies provide a wide variety of solar products and services ranging from solar system installations to the manufacturing of components used in photovoltaic panels.  These companies can be broken down across the following categories: 60 manufacturers, 25 manufacturing facilities, 124 contractor/installers, 18 project developers, 28 distributors and 54 engaged in other solar activities including financing, engineering and legal support.

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Arizona State Solar Policy Resources

Arizona Corporation Commission – Learn about the governing body that regulates the electricity rates and services of Arizona public utilities

Arizona State Legislature – Track pending legislation affecting solar energy, locate and contact individual legislators, and stay up to date on current legislative issues in Arizona 

Arizona Governor's Office of Energy Policy – Find a wide variety of information on state government energy programs, policy, projects, energy-saving strategies and energy-related statistics

Arizona State University - Solar Power Lab – Read about the innovative solar technology research taking place at Arizona State University

Arizona Goes Solar – Learn about residential and commercial solar energy options and related regulations through a collaborative effort led by the Arizona Corporation Commission and implemented by the regulated electric utilities in Arizona 

DSIRE Incentives Database - Arizona – Search a public clearinghouse for specific solar energy incentives in Arizona and across the United States

U.S. Energy Information Administration - Arizona State Profile – Explore official energy statistics, including data on electricity supply and demand, from the U.S. government 

 

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Action Alert!
In January, Arizona rulemakers rolled back critical incentives for the Arizona solar industry, and there’s a chance they could do even more damage in the coming months. We're fighting back! Please sign our petition and tell them to do the right thing for solar in Arizona!

For more information about SEIA’s activities in Arizona, send an email to our state affairs team and we will respond as promptly as possible.

You can also contact our state chapter, AriSEIA, for more information on Arizona solar policy.

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