Aug 16 2010
Arizona Public Service Co, a utility that serves more than 1.1 million clients in 11 counties of the total of 15 counties for a number of years now, has announced its proposal to construct and operate a 15 MW PV power plant at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale.
The utility has hired the services of SunPower Corp for designing and constructing the plant that is expected to be operational during 2011 summer. On completion, the plant will occupy the top slot among the government solar installations in USA. The utility is planning to complete the tasks such as eco assessment, necessary permissions and readying the proposed construction site.
The plant is expected to extend over 100 acres of fallow land. SunPower Corp is expected to install 52,000 high productive solar panels manufactured by them. The solar panels placed on a single axis tracking system are expected to harvest 25% more energy than sedentary solar panels. The 15 MW plant is expected to meet the energy requirements of around 3750 residential homes in Arizona and fulfill nearly 50% energy needs of the air force base.
Earlier during the year 2006 APS offered $1.5 million by the way of incentives to the base to lessen the cost of connecting a 375 kW solar system installed at the new roof structure of the base. The new solar facility awaiting approval of the Arizona Corporation Commission is to be sponsored by the clients.