APS has several large photovoltaic (PV) systems in the desert outside Gila Bend, Arizona. They are now adding energy storage systems to some of these PV systems. There is a good article about these on ABC15.com
A look inside one of APS' energy storage systems
May 25, 2022
Arizona Corporation Commission
1200 W. Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Re: APS 2022 RES Implementation Plan, Docket No. E-01345A-21-0240 and Generic Community Solar Docket, E-00000A-22-0103
Madam Chair and Commissioners,
Vote Solar, Solar United Neighbors (SUN), the Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association (AriSEIA), and the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) appreciate the opportunity to respond to the discussion preceding the passage of Commissioner Tovar’s 3rd Revised Amendment #1 during the May 18, 2022 Open Meeting. Our organizations thank the Commissioners for their support of this amendment and we look forward to participating in the community solar working group.
We seek to offer clarification regarding the work of our organizations and intent of the national petition mentioned during the Open Meeting. We believe that the decision to remove our organizations from the amendment is based on a misunderstanding of our support for a petition to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).[1] We joined the petition because it seeks to protect consumers from financial scandals and antitrust violations by utilities. The petition does not question or limit the Commission’s authority to regulate utilities in the state, nor does our support for it implicate the good faith efforts our groups have undertaken to build consensus among the solar industry, the utility, and advocates regarding a community solar program in Arizona. We would be happy to meet with any Commissioners interested in the petition to explain its substance and intent in greater detail.
AriSEIA, SUN and Vote Solar all have an established record of engagement at the Commission, where we are committed to working in good faith to support a transition to clean energy in Arizona. Similarly, ILSR maintains a positive record of engagement on regulatory issues around the country. We hope that this letter serves to clarify our commitment to advancing community solar in Arizona through the collaborative process approved by the Commission. We look forward to working with all stakeholders involved in the working group and to the Commission’s consideration of the recommendations that result from the working group in November.
Respectfully,
Autumn T. Johnson
Executive Director
Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association (AriSEIA)
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Bret Fanshaw
Arizona Program Director & West Region Director
Solar United Neighbors (SUN)
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Kate Bowman
Interior West Regulatory Director
Vote Solar
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John Farrell
Co-Director of ILSR & Director, Energy Democracy Initiative
Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR)
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[1] FTC Legal Petition and Press Release, available here https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/egal-petition-seeks-federal-trade-commission-investigation-of-energy-utility-abuses-2022-05-18/.
June 7, 2022
The Honorable Mark Kelly
U.S. Senate
516 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Kelly,
Last year, we wrote seeking your support for a robust energy tax package that would help the solar industry meet our nation’s climate goals. Now, as the Senate gets closer to considering reconciliation legislation, we are asking for your active support in getting this measure over the finish line. To create jobs and economic prosperity for millions of Americans, we ask for your strong support for passage of the reconciliation energy tax package that will spur solar and clean energy in Arizona, including a 10-year extension of the investment tax credit (ITC). Extending the ITC and adding the option to utilize the credit directly is critical to Arizona’s solar development.
Arizona is an incredible solar state, ranking fifth nationwide in overall solar installed, and second in solar energy potential. This has resulted in tremendous economic growth and future potential for Arizona businesses. Hard work, small business ingenuity, and an abundance of sun has made Arizona home to more than 300 companies and more than 7,300 jobs working to advance solar innovation and energy freedom. There are multitudes of young people who are looking to enter careers in solar, thanks in large part to the excellent programs at Arizona State University and the University of Arizona. These jobs range across multiple fields, including design, development, construction, and operations & maintenance. The jobs created by this growing industry span the range of professional opportunities, from immediately available jobs that require no advanced education to those that utilize a PhD.
A wide range of non-solar businesses in Arizona are also benefitting from the clean energy economy. In towns, communities, and urban areas, solar is driving down company costs and saving businesses money. In rural areas, ranchers are utilizing solar to save on electricity costs, diversifying farm income and assisting with irrigation. And for families across the state, solar helps save money on home energy bills. Solar contributes not just to national energy independence – it helps small businesses and families with financial independence and stability.
Despite tremendous progress in states like Arizona, the United States is falling behind on efforts to meet critical climate goals. Arizonans can benefit from continued investments in the state’s solar energy economy, contributing towards meeting our nation’s climate goals while providing local jobs and reliable economic growth for our state. We strongly urge you to work towards the passage of a robust climate reconciliation package that includes a long-term extension of the solar ITC along with direct pay, to allow businesses to plan for a much larger clean energy buildout than is possible under current policy. We also ask for your continued support of a standalone energy storage credit to help the U.S. meet our energy needs and enhance the resilience of our electricity supply. Additionally, the manufacturing provisions in the legislation ensure that there will be a boom in domestic solar manufacturing.
We understand that as the Senate considers a reconciliation package, officials will weigh budgetary issues. The investment tax credit is fiscally prudent and contributes to rapid and needed economic growth. Not only does the ITC save money for families, businesses, and schools, it is an anchor that leverages further critical private sector investment.
We appreciate your support and look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Autumn Johnson
Executive Director
Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association (AriSEIA)
Identical letter sent to Senator Sinema
6/30/20220
Commissioners approved Tucson Electric Power Company’s (TEP) revised Distributed Generation Interconnection Manual. The creation of these manuals was required following the Commission passing rules dealing with the interconnection of distributed generation facilities. TEP’s manual lays out technical and safety requirements that customers within its service territory must follow when interconnecting a distributed generation system, such as residential and commercial solar projects, to the existing grid. The manual is meant to create a standardization process for customers.
TEP’s manual was initially approved at the Commission’s February 2022 Open Meeting, however, following the passage of AriSEIA proposed amendments at that meeting, a revision to the manual was necessary. After several meetings between AriSEIA, TEP, and ACC Staff, the manual was revised to include information regarding Meter Socket Adapters (MSA), detailing their use for generating facilities. The manual was updated to better preserve the Super-Fast Track and Fast Track designations, allowing for faster review tracks for qualified projects. The revised manual also clarifies study cost fees customers are responsible for prior to beginning any study. TEP’s revised manual does not prematurely require inverters to comply with the IEEE sections that are not yet developed or for which equipment is not yet capable of compliance. Further, the manual modified its requirements around transfer trip infrastructure so as not to be overly burdensome, thereby reducing costs for large installations. Finally, the revised manual includes an additional section that provides a list of scenarios meriting an extension of time.
All documents related to this agenda item can be found in the Corporation Commission’s online docket at https://edocket.azcc.gov and entering docket number E-01933A-20-0116.