Welcome to the Arizona Solar Center
This is a non-commercial website for solar and renewable energy information in Arizona.
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Recent Updates
The following items have been recently added or updated:
Living with the Sun - Arizona Style Arizona Electric Utility Information
Considerations in sizing a PV system in Arizona Good Intentions on donating PV systems to Habitat
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Renewable Activity in Other States
There are a lot of renewable energy and energy efficiency efforts going on in other states and Puerto Rico. Some interesting links: New York targets 1.5 TWh of new renewables with latest solicitation New York updates distributed solar tariff, clearing path for 1 GW of new generation Committing to climate: Transformation is underway in the US power sector California adopts 2030 Preferred System Portfolio… Read More -
New Discovery Could Improve Organic Solar Cell Performance
While there is a growing market for organic solar cells – they contain materials that are cheaper, more abundant, and more environmentally friendly than those used in typical solar panels – they also tend to be less efficient in converting sunlight to electricity than conventional solar cells. Now, scientists who are members of the Center for Computational Study of Excited-State Phenomena in Energy Materials (C2SEPEM) a new… Read More -
Know Your Rights
Arizona law protects individual homeowners’ private property rights to solar access by dissolving any local covenant, restriction or condition attached to a property deed that restricts the use of solar energy. This law sustained a legal challenge in 2000. A Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled in favor of homeowners in a lawsuit filed by their homeowners association seeking to force the homeowners to remove… Read More -
Home Battery Systems
Rooftop solar panels are common in Arizona thanks to abundant sunshine, but to get even more use from the technology, homeowners are beginning to pair them with large home batteries. Batteries allow homeowners to store their surplus electricity, rather than send it to the grid in exchange for credit from their electric company. Read More -
Solar Hot Water
There are two types of solar water heating systems: active, which have circulating pumps and controls, and passive, which don't. The typical solar water heater is comprised of solar collectors and a well-insulated storage tank. The solar collector is a network of pipes that gathers the sun's energy, transforms its radiation into heat, and then transfers that heat to either water or a heat-transfer fluid.… Read More -
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
(Information provided by DSIRE - Last reviewed 02/19/2009) Incentive Type: Personal Tax Credit State: Federal Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Solar Water Heat, Photovoltaics, Wind, Fuel Cells, Geothermal Heat Pumps, Other Solar Electric Technologies Applicable Sectors: Residential Amount: 30% Maximum Incentive: Solar-electric systems placed in service before 2009: $2,000Solar-electric systems placed in service after 2008: no maximumSolar water heaters placed in service before 2009: $2,000Solar water heaters placed… Read More -
Solar Building Design in Arizona
The idea of using the sun to meet the energy needs in our buildings has been with us since the time of the Greeks, with some of the design manifestations even evident in the prehistoric structures of Arizona and the Southwest. There is a great historic tradition for Arizona buildings that utilize our most abundant resource, and the current increases in The idea of using… Read More -
How Not to- Battery Connections
Photo shows the situation after a battery discharge test at 300 amps was terminated on a 1530 AH IBE battery string when one post melted. During the discharge test all cell voltages are logged. The sum of the cell voltages was 2.73 volts lower than the 48-volt string voltage. This is an average of 118 mv per inter-cell connection, 5-10 mv is the normal range… Read More
Blogs
- Solar Center Blog
What’s Really Green and What’s Really New
Ask Americans what the Green New Deal is all about, and you’ll get two basic answers. Most often you’ll hear, “It’s about moving to renewable energy in order to fight climate change.” You’ll also hear, from a camp further right, “It’s all about socialism!”
Wishing you a wonderful and Happy New Year!
The year 2017 has gone by quickly, and AriSEIA has accomplished a full and active agenda to further solar and renewable energy in Arizona.
Featured
Some things to pay attention to in Arizona
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 drbonnie2002@yahoo.com if you can assist.
Arizona Corporation Commission
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 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
Attorney General Warns About Deceptive “Solar Initiative” Flyers
PHOENIX – Attorney General Mark Brnovich issued a warning today about deceptive flyers appearing on residences in the Phoenix area that promote a solar energy effort.
The flyers claim to be a “Public Notice” from the “Maricopa County Solar Initiative,” and claim that “Arizona and the Federal Government ITC (26 USC § 25D) are paying to have solar energy systems installed on qualified homes in this neighborhood.” The flyers tell consumers to call to schedule their “site audits.” Consumers who call are subjected to a solar sales pitch by a private company. In addition, the Maricopa County Solar Initiative’s website improperly uses a modified version of the county seal, but the “Solar Initiative” is linked to a private business and is not associated with the county. The “Solar Initiative” is also not registered to do business in Arizona.
Similar flyers previously appeared in Clark County, Nevada, this summer, and law enforcement officials there have warned that the “Clark County Solar Initiative” notices are deceptive.
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich has aggressively prosecuted businesses masquerading as government agencies, including obtaining consent judgments against “Mandatory Poster Agency” and “Compliance Filings Service,” resulting in full restitution for Arizonans totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.
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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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If you believe you are a victim of consumer fraud, you can file a complaint online at the Arizona Attorney General’s website. You can also contact the Consumer Information and Complaints Unit in Phoenix at (602) 542-5763, in Tucson at (520) 628-6648, and outside of the metro areas at (800) 352-8431.
Also covered at: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2018/11/26/deceptive-flyers-circulate-arizona-promoting-solar-energy-effort/2115597002/
Upcoming:
Events
General News
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.
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Arizona fire highlights challenges for energy storage - ABC News
Arizona fire highlights challenges for energy storage - ABC News
Arizona fire highlights challenges for energy storage ABC NewsArizona's largest electric company installed massive batteries near neighborhoods with a large number of solar panels, hoping to capture some of the energy ...
Created on: Jun 23, 2019 | 18:28 P
Jun 23, 2019 | 18:28 P -
Pegasus Group Holdings and Plus Minus Power Plan Mohave County, Arizona, Solar Data Center - Area Development Online
Pegasus Group Holdings and Plus Minus Power Plan Mohave County, Arizona, Solar Data Center - Area Development Online
Pegasus Group Holdings and Plus Minus Power Plan Mohave County, Arizona, Solar Data Center Area Development OnlinePegasus Group Holdings, a technology infrastructure corporation that develops renewable energy projects, will develop its new $3 billion, 340 megawatt solar ...
Created on: Jun 10, 2019 | 07:00 P
Jun 10, 2019 | 07:00 P -
Court Urged to Reject Discrimination Against Arizona Rooftop-solar Customers - Center for Biological Diversity
Court Urged to Reject Discrimination Against Arizona Rooftop-solar Customers - Center for Biological Diversity
Court Urged to Reject Discrimination Against Arizona Rooftop-solar Customers Center for Biological DiversityThe Center for Biological Diversity today took legal action in a federal court to challenge an Arizona power-utility company's discrimination against rooftop-solar ...
Created on: Jun 4, 2019 | 07:00 P
Jun 4, 2019 | 07:00 P
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Colorado Summers Equal A Solar Heat Wave! Ecomark Solar Wants You to Know What Happens to Your Solar Panels During the Hot Summer Months!
Colorado Summers Equal A Solar Heat Wave! Ecomark Solar Wants You to Know What Happens to Your Solar Panels During the Hot Summer Months!
DENVER: In Colorado we are luckily enough to have an average of 300 days of sunshine, which is a great environment for Solar production. We also are subject to severe weather swings and temperature changes. In
Created on: Jun 24, 2019 | 19:00 P
Jun 24, 2019 | 19:00 P -
Trina Solar recognized as "Top Performer" module manufacturer by PVEL/DNV GL, fifth time in a row
Trina Solar recognized as "Top Performer" module manufacturer by PVEL/DNV GL, fifth time in a row
CHANGZHOU, China: Trina Solar, the world leading global PV and smart energy total solution provider, was recently been recognized as the "Top Performer" among global PV module manufacturers by PV Evolution Labs (PVEL)
Created on: Jun 21, 2019 | 07:00 P
Jun 21, 2019 | 07:00 P -
Westwood Labs, "Green" Contract Manufacturer, Offers an Award Winning "Sustainability" Edge for Beauty and OTC Topical Products
Westwood Labs, "Green" Contract Manufacturer, Offers an Award Winning "Sustainability" Edge for Beauty and OTC Topical Products
PASADENA, Calif.: In a regulatory atmosphere where beauty and health brands can make little to no health claims, environmentally conscious manufacturing and packaging presents a marketing edge. Solar powered Westwood Labs
Created on: Jun 20, 2019 | 12:30 P
Jun 20, 2019 | 12:30 P
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About
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Welcome to the Arizona Solar Center
This is your source for solar and renewable energy information in Arizona. Explore various technologies, including photovoltaics, solar water heating, solar architecture, solar cooking and wind power. Keep up to date on the latest industry news. Follow relevant lectures, expositions and tours. Whether you are a homeowner looking to become more energy efficient, a student learning the science behind the technologies or an industry professional, you will find valuable information here. -
About The Arizona Solar Center
Arizona Solar Center Mission- The mission of the Arizona Solar Center is to enhance the utilization of renewable energy, educate Arizona's residents on solar technology developments, support commerce and industry in the development of solar and other sustainable technologies and coordinate these efforts throughout the state of Arizona. About the Arizona Solar Center- The Arizona Solar Center (AzSC) provides a broad-based understanding of solar energy, especially as it pertains to Arizona. Registered… Read More
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