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Power & Energy Services, Residential and Business: APS


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The Community Power Project Flagstaff Pilot
APS is conducting a unique pilot project in Flagstaff designed to increase the deployment of renewable energy, especially distributed energy from solar panels. The APS Community Power Project provides another opportunity for people to "go solar." With no upfront costs, community members host solar electric systems on their rooftops and join with their neighbors to form, in essence, an interconnected renewable power plant. The pilot , which is approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission, is also be a part of APS's smart grid initiatives for operation and data collection.
A New Solar Opportunity
APS owns, operates and receives the energy from solar panels on eligible customer rooftops. APS also hires solar contractors to install and maintain the system at no upfront cost to customers.

       How It Will Work

  • Eligible customers must be served by the Sandvig 4 feeder.
  • To learn more about the project and see if you are eligible, visit aps.com/commununitypower.
  • APS or its contractor then conduct a physical assessment of the customer property to verify engineering and eligibility requirements are met.
  • Upon final approval, customers sign an easement, allowing APS access for panel installation and maintenance.
  • After installation is complete the customer is eligible to receive service under the Community Power rate.
Community Power Rate Provides Stability
Unlike a typical net-metered installation, solar energy generated by the rooftop panels is sent directly to the grid. However, APS accounts for the amount of energy each system produces with the Community Power rate, which is available exclusively to pilot participants. The Community Power rate is fixed for 20 years and therefore provides participating customers stable, predictable electricity prices for the equivalent portion of their bill.		  
View larger map Where will it take place?
Sandvig 4 is the name of the distribution area (or “feeder”) in northeastern Flagstaff is hosting the Community Power Project pilot. It is generally bounded by Railhead Ave. to the south, Wupatki Trail to the north, Kochfield Rd. to the east, and Timberline Estates to the west. The Sandvig 4 feeder serves about 3,000 homes and businesses. In all, APS seeks to install 1.5 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity with the Community Power Project pilot.
  • Customers host 1,000 kW:
    Residential -- 600 kW Commercial/Industrial -- 400 kW
  • APS will host 500 kW (solar & wind)
  • Limited-income customers may
    receive solar water heaters
    (about 50 systems)
Working Toward Arizona’s Energy Future
Renewable energy will meet more than 1,600 MW of the growth in energy consumption APS expects over the next 15 to 20 years. While much of this energy will come from large power plants like the Solana Generating Station, a 250-MW solar power plant planned for 2013, distributed energy will also play an important role in our customers’ energy needs. Arizona’s Renewable Energy Standard (RES) requires that 30 percent of APS’ renewable energy be generated from distributed energy sources, such as photovoltaic systems on customer homes and businesses.

Community Power Project: How Everyone Benefits
Customers
  • Enabled to go solar
  • No upfront costs
  • No maintenance worries
  • Gain control over energy costs
 Arizona
  • Capitalizes on our most abundant resource
  • Grows the solar economy
  • Leverages skilled AZ installers
  • Invests in our communities
 APS
  • Uses utility strengths to remove barriers for customers
  • Delivers on the RES
  • Embraces the opportunity to learn
  • Making a wise investment

Additional Resources
Using Smart Grid Technologies
Flagstaff is at the forefront of APS's smart grid technology initiatives. APS is in the process of installing automated network switches and remote monitoring equipment that help improve the responsiveness and reliability of the electric distribution system. In addition, APS installed 36,000 digital "smart" meters at customer homes and businesses throughout Flagstaff in 2009. Together with the Community Power Project, smart grid technologies are helping APS to learn how distributed energy impacts its system.

Solar Water Heaters & Wind Power
The Community Power Project pilot also includes the installation of about 50 solar water heaters. These installations are geared toward limited-income customers and the energy savings will have a direct impact on their utility bills.

APS is also establishing sites in the pilot area to test small-scale wind turbines. Working with Northern Arizona University, APS will study energy output from these wind systems and work to improve ways to locate turbines for the greatest gains.

 Utility Speak

Distributed Energy
Electricity generated fom small energy sources at or near where the energy is being used and typically on the customer’s property.

Easement
The right to use the owner’s land for a specific purpose -- for example, to install and
monitor an electric meter or to install and maintain solar panels.

Feeder
An electric distribution
line (less than 69,000 volts)
carrying power from a substation to individual customers.

Photovoltaic
Solar panels that use sunlight to generate electricity.

Renewable Energy
Standard (RES)
The Arizona Corporation
Commission requirement that Arizona utilities generate 15 percent of their electricity from
renewable resources by 2025.

Smart Grid
Use of technology to improve electric system analysis and diagnosis, which results in improved reliability and responsiveness.

Contact:

Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.