Reminder- Arizona tax credit information is available here: Arizona Tax Incentives
Federal investment tax information, including end of year rules, is available here: Federal Tax Incentives
This is a non-commercial website for solar and renewable energy information in Arizona.
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The following items have been recently added or updated:
Energy vs. Agriculture in Italy
Electrification of transportation sector = More Renewable Energy Needed
Tucson Electric Power (TEP) to provide 70% of its energy from solar and wind by 2035
Reminder- Arizona tax credit information is available here: Arizona Tax Incentives Federal investment tax information, including end of year rules, is available here: Federal Tax Incentives
Arizona Legislature
Call to Action - HB 2248 and SB 1175 would create massive regulatory uncertainty for businesses who wish to conduct business in Arizona. Call your representatives now.
Arizona Corporation Commission
The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) has posted STAFF'S THIRD REVISED PROPOSED DRAFT RULES (DOCKET no. RE-00000A-18-0284) That lay out a clearer framework for Electric Utilities to report their compliance with the proposed standards for the Renewable Energy Standard, Clean Peak Standard, Distributed Renewable Storage Requirement, and Electric Vehicle Infrastructure. See the ACC Staff Report: docket.images.azcc.gov/E000004960.pdf See also Materials Presented by the Joint Stakeholders at the Commission's March 2020 Energy Rules Workshop ACC Staff has made substantial changes to the draft rules that were filed on July 2, 2019 based on feedback received at each workshop held in this matter, comments to the docket, and a review of relevant energy policies across the United States. The Nature Conservancy has submitted their report "Arizona Thrives - A Path to a Healthy and Prosperous Future" to the ACC. Interesting. APS has submitted their report, The Solar Center has slightly reformatted this report by rotating the pages for easier viewing. APS has provided two presentations to address the ACC questions. Worth a read.
Arizona Corporation Commission-POSSIBLE MODIFICATIONS TO THE ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION'S ENERGY RULES
Update July 30, 2020: When the Arizona utility regulators met to decide these issues they deadlocked over whether they should increase the state's requirements for renewable energy. It proved not possible to obtain the agreement of at least three commissioners, the meeting was adjourned. See the Arizona Republic article on this: Arizona utility regulators hit roadblock on clean-energy rules, abruptly end meeting. The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) has released the Notice of Final Rulemaking Interconnection of Distributed Generation FacilitiesInterconnection of Distributed Generation Facilities document. With this rulemaking, the Commission adds a new Article 26, entitled " Interconnection. of Distributed Generation Facilities" to 14 A.A.C. 2, the Chapter containing the Commission's rules for fixed utilities, with the new Article 26 including 28 new rules. The rules for Interconnection of Distributed Generation Facilities ("DGI Rules") establish mandatory technical standards, processes, and timelines for utilities to use for· interconnection and parallel operation of different types of distributed generation ("DG") facilities; customer and utility rights and responsibilities; provisions for disconnection of DG facilities from the distribution system; specific safety requirements; more flexible standards for electric cooperatives; a reporting requirement; and a requirement for each utility to create, submit for initial approval and submit for approval periodically and when revised, and implement and comply with a Commission-approved Interconnection Manual. The first dozen pages are basically legal stuff. The document defines how an utility must review, then accept/reject/etc. an application to connect distributed generation to the utility. It defines both customer rights and utility procedures. There are a lot of utility, installer and customer comments along with the ACC staff recomendations.
Interconnection of Distributed Generation Facilities
This is a good report that provides a conceptual framework for the Statewide Transportation Electrification Plan for Arizona, including planned or proposed near-term utility actions to support the growth of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in the state. The report is part of a filing on the Arizona Corporation Commission website: Arizona Statewide Transportation Electrification Plan
Arizona Statewide Transportation Electrification Plan
Municipality Info
The City of Phoenix is now (January 2020) requiring a special permit from the Fire Department for most solar systems and batteries. The fees and required plans varies with size and content. See this link for an application and details: https://www.phoenix.gov/firesite/Documents/Solar Photovoltaic OTC Bundle Rev 01-2020.pdf This is in addition to a building permit from the Planning & Development Department and must be separately obtained at a different address (150 South 12th Street) or on-line via the above link. Also noted is that residential PV permits are no longer over the counter and as of March 2020 are estimated to take 29 working days to process. Separate inspections are required. The code requirements are contained in Phoenix-Chapter 12 BESS R-3-1.pdf Also note: All Phoenix solar building permits are now electronic submittal only. Contact the Electronic Plan Review (EPR) Triage Team at 602-534-5933 or epr.support@phoenix.gov. For more information on EPR, visit us at https://www.phoenix.gov/pdd/onlineservices/electronic-plan-review. Related: PV Rapid Shutdown Signage- Phoenix .
Phoenix Fire Dept. now requires a separate permit for solar systems and batteries
At the Federal Level
New information coming soon
Utility Information
Update July 18, 2020 APS has posted a Final report on the McMicken Battery Energy Storage System Event Technical Analysis and Recommendations. See the full article: https://azsolarcenter.org/update-utility-solar-battery-fire-in-arizona
Update- Utility Solar Battery Fire in Arizona (Intro)
Arizona Public Service Co. has announced that it plans to produce all of its electricity from carbon-free sources by 2050 and will get 45% of its power from renewable sources like solar and wind by the end of this decade. This is a good improvement from the point of view of sustainable energy. There are still a lot of details to be worked out such as the role that distributed energy will take. Will APS APS improve its policies in regard to residential and small commercial systems. There are several good news articles and the APS press releases on this announcement: APS:APS sets course for 100 percent clean energy future Arizona Republic: APS will eliminate carbon emissions by 2050 and close coal plant ahead of schedule, CEO says The Washington Post: Arizona’s biggest utility says it will get all of its electricity from carbon-free sources by 2050
APS sets course for 100 percent clean energy future
Tucson Electric Power (TEP) plans to provide more than 70 percent of its power from wind and solar resources as part of a cleaner energy portfolio that will reduce carbon emissions 80 percent by 2035. TEP has filed its integrated resource plan (IRP) with the Arizona Corporation Commission, outlining plans for 2.5GW of new solar and wind over the next 15 years and 1.4GW of energy storage capacity as it progressively shutters its coal power stations. See the TEP Press Release for more information: https://www.tep.com/news/tep-plans-clean-energy-expansion-carbon-reduction/
Tucson Electric Power (TEP) to provide 70% of its energy from solar and wind by 2035
TEP customers intending to install a new PV system now need to check that their system can be safely installed and connected to TEP’s grid. TEP now has service areas that are saturated with PV systems where new PV systems are subject to additional review and requirements under Arizona’s Distributed Generation Interconnection Rules. TEP has prepared DG Saturation Maps showing these areas. This further described at https://www.tep.com/get-started-with-solar/ This requirement stems from the recent Distributed Generation Interconnection Rules issued by the Arizona Corporation Commission. Further information is available at:Interconnection of Distributed Generation Facilities Update: See the related article on tucson.com: New state rules limit rooftop solar systems in some Tucson neighborhoods
TEP PV Saturation Maps
Interesting Technology Updates;
Battery Storage Costs Drop Dramatically, Making Way to a New Era. A recent Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) report continues to confirm that clean electrification through batteries is advancing at impressive rates. Very interesting report: Breakthrough Batteries- Powering the Era of Clean Electrification
Breakthrough Batteries Powering the Era of Clean Electrification
Other Announcements
Caution- News leads open in new windows. Warning- These news links are automatically generated by others such as Google News and are not reviewed by the Arizona Solar Center, Inc. We are not responsible for link content.
From JULY 2019 AZIPL NEWSLETTER
WRITE A LETTER…SPEAK OUT FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY
We urge you to join us in advocating for renewable energy and energy efficacy. Please consider adapting the letter below. You can make it your own. Email the letter to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by July 27th, before the July 30th hearing at the Arizona Corporation Commission, and we will deliver it for you.
Also, we encourage you to attend the Stakeholder Hearing at 10 am on Tuesday, July 30th at the Arizona Corporation Commission, 1200 W. Washington St., Phoenix. The more who gather to advocate for renewable energy and energy efficacy, the better our chances of success.
Further information and a model letter on the AZIPL link at: It's Time to Act for our Earth
In Arizona it is common for homeowners associations (HOA) to require homeowners or their contractors to obtain the HOA's permission to install a solar system. There is usually a minor fee. At least one HOA has taken this to an extreem, charging for an architect to review the plans and installation for $1500 ($500, to have an architect review plans, plus a $1,000 refundable deposit to ensure the installation happens as submitted.).
Tim Steller of the Arizona Daily Star has a good article on this situation:Steller column: HOA demands extra cash for solar-panel review
Reminder- Arizona tax credit information is available here: Arizona Tax Incentives
Seeking Arizona agriculture producers who are using small solar systems in their operations in Arizona
Dr. Bonnie Eberhardt Bobb, Executive Director of the Western Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, is looking for agriculture producers who are using small solar systems in their operations in Arizona who might be willing to help her with preparing ACC testimony, discussion with representatives, writing letters of support, signing petitions, etc. to further their goal of increased renewables in agriculture. She would love to hear from ag producers and listen to their stories of how solar has benefited their operations. Thank you so much. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you can assist.
Arizona Corporation Commission
SRP Solar Information
SRP approves rate decrease as directors argue about solar power and batteries.
During March 2019, SRP wrapped up their public pricing process at a final rate setting board hearing.
The board approved new rates for SRP customers, which will translate to a $1 to $4 decrease in monthly bills.
The board also voted to lower rates for solar customers, approve three new options for solar customers, and adopt a new battery/storage incentive.
APS Solar Information
APS announces 2018 ended with 16,479 applications and 14,818 installations:
Note: APS applications peak in August due to deadlines to freeze APS purchase rates for 10 years.
FRAUD ALERT Click to see details
A picture of the “Public Notice” is below:
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A picture of the improperly modified county seal used by the “Solar Initiative” is below:
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The Navajo Generating Station in Page, Arizona will soon be closed. This is one of the largest coal fired power plants in the U.S and is supplied by a dedicated mine (Kayenta Peabody Mine) about 80 miles east of Page. The plant and mine have provided the Navajo Nation with employment and income, but at high enviromental cost (one of the biggest polluters in the nation). The decision by the plant owners (Salt River Project owns 42.9% of the plant and runs it for the owners, which include the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (24.3%), Arizona Public Service Co. (14%), Tucson Electric Power Co. (11.3%) and NV Energy (7.5%)) was based on the economics of operating the plant. The economics of electrical power generation are changing and coal fired plants are now the most expensive to operate. Renewable sources such as solar and wind, and the low cost of natural gas are causing the early retirement of many coal fired power plants.
The plant was completed in 1975 for a total cost of about $650 million. Since then far more has been spent on polution controls and more would have been needed to continue operations. In addition, the plant and its supply of coal have a major user of water in an arid area.
The main decision to close the plant was made in 2017. A Replacement Lease was negotiated by the Navajo Nation to extend operation to 2019 in the hopes of finding a new owner to continue the operations. On March 21, 2019 Navajo lawmakers voted to end their efforts to acquire the plant and keep it running.
A Navajo Nation brochure in 2017 has a good summary of the situation then. The Replacement Lease was approved and one of the plant assets transferred to the Navajo Nation are the transmission rights. The Navajo Nation or its assignee can use the transmission rights to have electric energy from new solar or other generation sources delivered to markets such as California, Phoenix and Las Vegas. These transmission rights are a valuable new tool that will position the Nation’s movement toward a cleaner energy economy.
There is also a good 2017 summary on High Country News: https://www.hcn.org/articles/the-wests-coal-giant-is-going-down
There is also a good article, funded by NREL, on the potential for solar on the Navajo Nation that pre-dates the decision to close the Navajo Generating Station: Growing Interest in Developing Navajo Utility-Scale Solar Industry.
UPDATE 3-3-19
Utility Drive reported that On Sunday 3-31-19, an Arizona federal judge granted a motion to dismiss a lawsuit that sought to force a state water agency (the Central Arizona Project) to buy coal-fired electricity from this facility.