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Solana: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the project?
APS has partnered with Abengoa Solar to construct and operate one of the world’s largest solar facilities – a 280-megawatt (MW) concentrating solar power (CSP) plant. APS has agreed to purchase 100 percent of the electricity generated at the facility.
What is the plant’s name?
Solana Generating Station. “Solana” is the Spanish word for “sunny place.”
Where will it be built?
Solana will be built 70 miles southwest of Phoenix, near Gila Bend, Ariz.
How many customers will be served?
The Solana Generating Station will generate enough electricity to serve 70,000 APS customers when operating at full capacity. If Solana were operating today, it would be the largest solar power plant in the world, providing more solar electricity per customer than any utility in the
When will the energy from Solana be available to customers?
APS expects the plant to be fully operational and supplying power to its customers in 2011.
What is the anticipated economic impact of the project?
Abengoa estimates that Solana will bring about $1 billion of investment to the state of Arizona, particularly the Gila Bend area.
How many jobs will Solana create?
The Solana Generating Station will create 1,500 construction jobs and when completed, it will employ 85 highly skilled technicians.
How did APS select Abengoa?
In the spring of 2007, APS issued a Request for Proposal for new sources of renewable energy. After months of reviewing many applications, APS selected Abengoa Solar as its partner. Abengoa was selected because of its technical knowledge, experience and financial ability in developing renewable energy projects. Specifically, Abengoa has deployed solar power technologies across the globe, including large-scale facilities in the
How does concentrating solar power work?
Parabolic mirrors focus solar thermal energy on to a heat transfer fluid. Once heated, the liquid converts water into steam, which turns the plant’s turbines to create electricity, much like a traditional power plant.
How can it produce solar electricity when the sun is not shining?
Large thermos-like buildings containing molten salt will be located next to the steam boilers. At select times, instead of immediately creating steam, the heat transfer fluid will heat the molten salt. Then, if electricity is needed when the sun is not shining, the fluid can be heated by running it through the hot salt instead of through the mirrors. Using this process, electricity can be made from heat energy that was created up to six hours earlier.
What is the difference between concentrating solar and photovoltaic?
CSP uses the sun’s heat to create electricity while photovoltaic uses the sun’s light. CSP technology allows the plant to produce more energy for customers than a traditional solar power plant, which only produces electricity when exposed to direct sunlight. CSP is the most cost-effective solar technology.
What are the next steps in development?
APS and Abengoa are beginning the permitting process. Like all renewable projects currently under development, successful completion is contingent upon a number of factors, including the extension of the federal renewable energy tax credit, Arizona Corporation Commission approval, and successful siting and permitting.
What is the difference between this project and the other solar power plant APS recently announced?
APS recently announced its intent to build a separate 250-megawatt solar power plant as part of a multi-state consortium of southwestern energy providers. This jointly owned facility is expected to come on line as early as 2010. APS customers will receive a portion of the energy from the joint development project, and all of the energy from the Solana Generating Station.
What other renewable energy is available to APS customers?
APS currently provides its customers with 131.5 megawatts of renewable energy, enough to power more than 37,000 homes. With the addition of Solana, APS will provide enough renewable energy to serve 100,000 homes. As APS’ largest source of renewable energy, Solana will more than triple the Company’s renewable energy resources. APS’ green energy portfolio includes wind, geothermal and solar energy.