AZ RISKS LOSING SUN

Proposed law could chase Suntech, other solar firms from Arizona
Patrick O’Grady, February 23, 2010 (Phoenix Business Journal)

"Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. may reconsider locating to Goodyear and other solar power companies could follow suit if a law to classify nuclear power as renewable passes.

"The companies warn that passage of House Bill 2701…could cripple the state’s nascent solar industry and send players to other states…Suntech, the largest Chinese manufacturer of solar modules [recently] announced…plans to put its first U.S. facility in Goodyear after more than two years of looking for a location. Officials said the state’s renewable energy standards developed by the Arizona Corporation Commission were key to the choice of Arizona for the manufacturing base…Barry Broom, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council which has worked to woo solar companies, said other companies have sent a similar message…"

A small contingent of pro-nukers is about to drive this booming company out of Az. (click to enlarge)

"HB 2701 was introduced…as a legislative attempt to bypass the Corporation Commission standards, requiring utilities to get 15 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2025. The bill would add nuclear and hydroelectric sources as a means to meet that goal. It also would do away with the commission’s distributed energy standard, which requires 30 percent of total renewable power produced by utilities [to come] from rooftop systems.

"That segment is seen as a driver to demand, allowing Arizona Public Service Co. and other utilities to charge a tariff to fund incentive programs…Lyndon Rive, CEO of SolarCity, one of the large California installers which came to the state two years ago because of the incentives, said the bill would create a situation of double regulation and likely put many solar companies in the state out of business."

Do the pro-nukers really think there isn't enough sun to power Az? (click to enlarge)

"Kyocera Solar, which has its U.S. headquarters in Scottsdale, also finds the bill a possible impediment to solar in Arizona…

"Representatives of the solar industry met with Gov. Jan Brewer…prior to the hearing on HB 2701. Suntech announced it was rethinking the Arizona location just prior to that…Broom said Suntech’s exit would devastate GPEC efforts to lure its suppliers to the state as well as any other solar company that was close to making a decision."