Union Distributing To Install Two Solar PV Systems In Arizona

Published: 15-Sep-2009

Union Distributing will install two solar solar PV systems, a 163 kW system at its plant/headquarters and 90 kW system at Tucson location which is a distribution hub, solar.coolerplanet.com reported. Together, the two systems will produce 400,000 kWh of electricity per year, thereby reducing 800,000 pounds of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions, and providing between 85% and 90% of the company’s total electricity needs. The installation is being performed by Solar Hawk Energy.

The project is estimated to cost $1,600,000. Between 70% and 85% of the cost will be covered by incentives provided by regional utilities Salt River Project (SRP) and Tucson Electric Power Company (TEP) as well as federal and state incentives; the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; Arizona’s Corporate Solar Tax Credit; a state property tax credit, and various other state tax incentives and exemptions.

The systems will also prevent the use of about 200,000 gallons of water per year.

The systems will also prevent the company's electricity bill from being affected by rate hikes in future, such as the 8% increase SRP has slated for May 2010 and a 23% rate hike by TEP which the utility has offered to decrease by phasing it in over the next four years.

After the permitting process is completed, may be in early October 2009, the two systems will be installed and grid-connected, providing power from November 2009. But that will happen if the non-binding, incentive reservation forms already filed against the project are removed from the docket by the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC).

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