Arizona and Solar Energy: A Great Match

Regardless of the technology used to produce it, generating energy requires fuel. This fuel can take the form of fossil fuels like coal or natural gas, or it can take the form of renewable fuels like the wind or the sun. With abundant sunshine, Arizona offers one of the best renewable resources in the world, and is well situated to provide reliable electricity to APS customers.

Among the most important factors in considering a resource for electricity production is the reliability of the fuel. Arizona's solar climate provides a resource that is both dependable and predictable. The solar resource in Arizona is virtually unlimited, with more than 300 days of sunshine each year. In addition, Arizona has sizeable quantities of wide-open, flat landscape that is ideal for the installation of large-scale solar equipment.

Near-optimal landscape, weather, proximity to electric transmission and other essential factors make Arizona one of the best solar climates in the nation.

Development of large-scale solar electricity generation plants requires a unique set of conditions. Although solar intensity is high in most of Arizona and some other areas of the southwest, other considerations reduce the area practically available for development of this resource. Optimal areas would include generally flat (less than 1 percent slope) land that is not affected by summer monsoons or heavy blowing dust, proximity to transmission lines and available water for plan operation. In addition, when selecting sites for solar generation, consideration must be given to the desert ecosystem and sensitive species that inhabit it. As this map shows, Arizona is one of the few places in the United States where the solar resource is world class and the rigorous development requirements are met.

Environmental benefits  |  Economic impact
Employment opportunities  |  Other revenue streams
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