AZ’S BIG SUN BOOM

Large-Scale Solar Booming in Arizona
D.A. Barber, 2012 February 6 (Energy Trend)

"…Until recently, Arizona’s power generators included four coal-fired power plants and the largest nuclear power plant in the U.S…But in 2011 the state had become very aggressive in expanding its solar output and is fast becoming a showcase for a variety of solar technologies not found in other areas of the U.S., including projects using SunPower’s C7 Tracker technology, Areva's Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector technology, and EnviroMission’s "solar updraft" technology.

"…[The state has 300 days of sunshine, high quality solar insolation, vast stretches of open desert near both major metropolitan areas and] has been pushing a solar manufacturing “cluster” for several years with some success luring manufacturers such as thin-film solar giant, First Solar. California-based inverter manufacturer Power-One Inc. is also among the newest solar manufacturers to move to Arizona, opening a 120,000-square foot facility in Phoenix in 2011."

The resource warrants the boom. (click to enlarge)

"Since China-based Suntech Power opened its Arizona manufacturing plant in October 2010, the facility has grown steadily. By May 2011, the 117,000-square foot facility began running 24 hours per day bringing the annual production to about 50MW, representing 15,000 Suntech 280W solar panels per month…Germany-based Solon ceased production of PV modules in Tucson at the end of October 2011…

"…Arizona will be generating an additional 720MW by 2014…As of October 18, 2011, there were already three large-scale utility projects under construction…Between December 2011 and mid-January 2012, there were a number of medium and large-scale projects approved… that will add over 800MW of additional solar power…Other recently approved projects in Arizona involve using some emerging solar technologies for the first time on a large scale…Arizona seems likely to be a huge market for various solar power equipment suppliers over the course of the next several years."