Arizona Public Service Company has announced that it is seeking proposals from solar developers and installers to build a 32 MW solar PV facility.  APS would finance the project  through its AZ Sun Program.  When completed, the new solar facility will be owned and operated by APS and is expected to provide electricity to more

On March 12, 2010, the Arizona Game and Fish Department ("AGFD") released finalized guidelines for solar development in Arizona ("Solar Guidelines"), the objective of which "is to assist energy developers in identifying potential impacts to wildlife and wildlife habitats from their proposed development and potential alternatives to avoid, minimize, and/or mitigate for these negative impacts."  The AGFD encourages local governments and permitting authorities to integrate the recommended study proposals described in the Solar Guidelines.  The document is organized around five basic project development steps:

  1. Wildlife Protection Regulations
  2. AGFD Regulations and Review
  3. Gather preliminary information and conduct site screening
  4. Identify potential impacts to wildlife
  5. Mitigation

The Solar Guidelines were compiled by the AGFD employees and have not undergone any external public review or input from the solar energy industry.  It should be noted that some of the information contained in the Solar Guidelines was taken from the AGFD’s wind guidelines.  In light of the fact that county officials often defer to the AGFD in matters of wildlife concerns, special attention should be given to the section of the Solar Guidelines focused on "Avoiding or Minimizing Impacts" and the recommendations contained therein.Continue Reading Solar Development Guidelines Released by Arizona Game and Fish Department

On January 27, Arizona Public Service (APS) announced two requests for proposals (RFPs), one for new sources of photovoltaic (PV) solar energy and the other for Arizona-based wind.  

The RFP for solar PV seeks proposals for projects that are between 15 and 50 megawatts and that employ commercially proven technology.  APS’s goal is to procure approximately 220,000