Arizona Solar Power Potential

In 2012 arizona had 1 106 mw of photovoltaic pv solar power systems and 6 mw of concentrated solar power csp bringing the total to over 1 112 megawatts mw of solar power the solana generating station is a 280 mw parabolic trough solar plant which.

Arizona solar power potential.

Arizona is one of the sunniest states and has huge potential for its solar market. The state receives more sun than any other area in the nation meaning a solar system can produce about 180 more than what it does in places like new york. Sign up for email updates. A new world bank report solar photovoltaic power potential by country attempts to fill this gap by evaluating the theoretical potential the general solar resource the practical potential accounting for additional factors affecting pv conversion efficiency and basic land use constraints and the economic potential of pv power.

Sw washington dc 20585 202 586 5000. In cold climates buildings are often orientated to maximize incoming solar radiation. Solar power in arizona has the potential to according to then governor janet napolitano make arizona the persian gulf of solar energy. Although hydroelectric power has long dominated arizona s renewable generation total solar generation from both large and small solar photovoltaic pv facilities as well as from solar thermal facilities surpassed conventional hydroelectric power in the state for the first time in 2017.

Rps stands for renewable portfolio standard and requires the states investor owned utilities iou s to source 15 of their power from renewable sources by 2025. If they don t do this they will receive large fines. In 2018 arizona ranked second in the nation in electricity generation from solar energy which provided more power than the state s other nonhydroelectric renewable energy sources. The potential for rooftop solar pv is primarily a function of the orientation of the building roof.

While the state solar industry has tremendous growth opportunity due to public debates about the benefits of solar imposition of a net metering charge in 2014 and elimination of incentives the market has been turbulent. A significant reason for the growth of solar power in recent years is arizona s rps law. Arizona has some of the best potential for solar in the united states. Solar power has powered 578 323 homes in arizona but still arizona is mostly powered by coal power plants which is the dirtiest way to produce energy and natural gas power plants which leaks of methane a very strong greenhouse gas.