This will include the development of a 17MW solar plant in Hyder and a 20MW solar PV power plant in Chino Valley, bringing APS’s renewable energy portfolio to nearly 682MW by 2013 (including projects currently online or in development).
These two plants are part of APS’s AZ Sun program, through which APS plans to develop 100MW of utility-owned PV projects using a procurement model where a third party builds the solar plant and APS takes ownership when it goes into commercial operation.
APS plans to begin construction on the Hyder plant in June 2011, with an in-service date expected in fourth quarter of 2011, following which it will start construction on the Chino Valley project in first quarter of 2012, with completion expected in the fourth quarter of 2012.
APS president and CEO Don Robinson said that these two solar projects that will use polycrystalline PV panels mounted on single-axis tracking systems will further increase the resource and geographic diversity of APS’ energy supply and under the AZ Sun program will also provide ownership diversity.
"By adding layers of diversity to our energy supply, we are reducing our fuel cost risk and increasing energy security for our customers. We also are providing another substantial boost to Arizona’s growing renewable energy industry," Robinson said.
