Tucson utility aims for 7x more solar energy by 2014
Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is on track to add what will be its largest single source of solar energy yet. And that’s just one step on its planned roadmap for expanding its solar power resources seven-fold over the next three years.
Plans for a 25-megawatt photovoltaic (PV) array in Avra Valley won approval this week from the Pima County Board of Supervisors. The system will be built, owned and operated by Fotowatio Renewable Ventures on 305 acres of former farmland. TEP will purchase all of the energy the system produces — enough to power more than 4,500 homes.
Construction on the solar facility is scheduled to begin this fall, with completion set for April 2012.
“This project will nearly double our solar energy resources while generating significant benefits for the local economy,” said Paul Bonavia, chairman, president and CEO of TEP and its parent company, UniSource Energy.
The Fotowatio array is one of 10 solar power projects planned for the Tucson area through power purchase agreements with private developers. TEP also is expanding its own solar power systems and providing incentives to help customers add solar panels to their homes and businesses. In all, TEP plans to expand its solar generating capacity from 25 megawatts today to more than 200 megawatts by the end of 2014.
