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November 2002 - In October, Arizona Public Service (APS) dedicated a 450-kW solar electric generating facility at the Prescott Airport about 100 miles north of Phoenix. The project is financed in part by APS and the 3,000 participants in the utility's Solar Partners program, who pay $2.64 more per month to purchase 15-kWh blocks of solar power.
APS plans to expand the new facility to as much as 5 MW over the next three to five years. In addition to the Prescott project, APS has constructed solar facilities in Flagstaff, Tempe, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Yuma, Glendale and at Prescott's Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. APS plans to have a total of 3 MW of solar capacity installed systemwide by the end of 2003.
News Release - Prescott Solar Facility To Be Among World's Largest
April 2001 - Arizona Public Service (APS) dedicated three new solar facilities that will serve customers of the APS Solar Partners program. The three projects: a 100-kW, high-concentration system in Glendale, a 175-kW system in Prescott, and a 125-kW tracking system in Gilbert, bring the amount of solar energy produced by the utility to nearly one megawatt.
APS Solar Partners participants pay $2.64 per month to have 15 kWh of their electricity needs generated by solar power. To date, there are nearly 2,500 registered program participants.
News Release - APS Doubles its Solar Generation; Dedicates Solar Plants in Three Arizona Communities
April 2000 - Arizona Public Service (APS) plans to add 388 kilowatts (kW) of new photovoltaics (PV) capacity to the more than 500 kW already installed at sites around its service territory. The new projects are planned for Yuma, Prescott, and other areas outside of Phoenix.
The PV additions will be funded, in part, through the utility's Solar Partners program. The most recent projects completed under the program are a 172-kW solar facility at the Glendale Airport and a 2-kW rooftop system on the San Luis City Hall. APS and the U.S. Department of Energy also provide funding for the program.
Earlier this year, APS switched the pricing of the program from a capacity-based charge to an energy-based rate. Participants now pay $2.64 a month for each 15 kilowatt-hour block of solar energy purchased (or 17.6¢/kWh) rather than $3.00 a month for 100 watts of PV capacity. According to the utility, the change represents a savings for most participants and allows customers to more easily calculate the amount of solar energy they receive.
News Release - APS Announces Solar Energy Expansion Plans for Earth Day 2000
APS Contact: Leslie Herrmann (602) 370-9086
October 1999 - Arizona Public Service (APS) completed its third installation under the company's Solar Partners program, a 34-kW photovoltaic (PV) system located at a covered parking facility in Scottsdale, AZ. The system is financed in part by APS customers who, as APS Solar Partners, pay $2.64 per month to have 15 kWh of their electricity needs met by solar power. The U.S. Department of Energy also provided funds through the Utility PhotoVoltaic Group (UPVG). The City of Scottsdale provided the site for the project.
APS Contact: Will Diaz (602) 250-2265
September 1998 - Peter Johnston of Arizona Public Service reports that the utility is exploring the construction of several new solar plants in response to continued high levels of customer and community interest in the APS Solar Partners program. To date, two plants have been built, in Flagstaff and Tempe, and APS has committed to three additional plants in Flagstaff, Glendale and Scottsdale. Future plans include facilities in Yuma and Prescott Valley. The new projects will involve a greater degree of partnership with the host cities. Johnston made his comments at IBC's 2nd Annual Marketing Green Power Conference on September 18.
Additional Information - APS Solar Partners Program
April 1998 - On April 17, Arizona Public Service (APS) began operations of a new 82-kW solar power plant built in Tempe to supply the utility's Solar Partners program. Program participants agree to purchase 100-watt blocks of power for $3 per month. To date, more than 600 Valley residents have signed up for the service, prompting APS to pursue plans for constructing more solar power plants in the Valley. APS operates a similar project in Flagstaff.
November 1997 - On October 10, Arizona Public Service declared operational an 82-kilowatt solar plant in Flagstaff, AZ, the first commercial plant in the state to be funded by customer contributions.
September 1997 - Due to an overwhelming response to the recently announced Solar Partners pilot program, Arizona Public Service (APS) has announced that it will expand its program statewide this fall. The response to the pilot well exceeded the utility's initial target. By June, 368 customers had purchased 728 units of 100 watts each, prompting APS to expand the size of the first solar generating plant 41 kW to 81 kW, as well as to announce plans for a second project.
June 1997 - Arizona Public Service (APS) has chosen Flagstaff as the first community eligible to receive power from a PV power plant to be built under its Solar Partners program. Residential customers will be given an option of signing up for 100-W blocks of solar capacity at a cost of approximately $3/month/block. The facility, scheduled for completion in late summer 1997, is expected to generate about 41 kW of capacity. Solar Partners will receive a commemorative pin and certificate marking their involvement in the program. APS has a similar program proposal for industrial and commercial customers under review by the Arizona Corporation Commission.
March 1997 - The Arizona Public Service (APS) Solar Partners program tariff became effective December 1, 1996. The company will develop up to 400 kW of "centralized photovoltaic systems" to supply solar electricity to customers who choose to participate in the Solar Partners program. The power will be sold in 100-W blocks of solar capacity. The effective solar electricity cost will range from 18 to 24¢/kWh, depending on customer class and season of the year. A portion of program costs will be shared with the Utility PhotoVoltaic Group (UPVG). APS will start marketing the program in late April 1997. The program is open to all APS customers.
APS contacts: Herb Hayden (602) 250-3012 and Cassius McChesney (602) 250-3124
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