What's New

On Oct. 31, the Arizona Corporation Commission cast a historic vote to increase renewable energy in Arizona. The new standard sets a concrete goal, requiring utilities to obtain at least 15 percent of their energy from eligible renewable energy resources by 2025, with solar energy playing a major role. These rules will now go to the attorney general for approval.

Environment Arizona is now working to help create incentives for spreading solar energy collectors across our rooftops to increase Arizona's use of solar energy in addition to large utility-run projects

Brief Summary

Almost daily we hear about the problems plaguing our current energy system—high gas prices, reduced availability of foreign oil, failure at the Palo Verde nuclear plant, proposed rate hikes . . . and the list goes on.  

Yet as these problems continue, Arizona experiences perpetual growth. This growth provides an opportunity for us to change from our outdated energy system to one that favors a cleaner, healthier environment.

It is time to make Arizona a national leader in solar power. Given the volatility of natural gas prices and the adverse public health impacts of coal, increasing solar power will save Arizonans money and help reduce pollution.

Our Solar Energy Potential 

Arizona has over 300 days of sunshine every year and more solar energy potential than any other state in the United States—over 150 percent of our state’s current annual demand. Yet we use less than 2 percent solar energy in Arizona.

By becoming a leader in solar production, Arizona could reduce our use of dirty sources of power and control our own energy future. And individuals and businesses could gain independence from soaring energy costs and price spikes—all while drastically cutting our state’s pollution.

More solar, or more coal?

With an increasing population and an increasing demand for electricity, Arizona must decide where its future energy supply will come from. Already, utilities are investigating putting more coal-fired power plants in Arizona. Instead, we should be capitalizing on our abundant solar energy supply.

250,000 Solar Homes

Arizona should be a leader and set a goal of equipping 250,000 homes in the state with solar panels and solar hot water heaters by 2015. A key step in reaching that goal will be the adoption of standards that require all new commercial housing developments to have solar technologies as a standard feature of the house. 

Through this requirement, Arizona will take advantage of its potential—while stimulating the solar market, saving owners money on electricity bills and reducing air pollution.

We have the technology. We have the solar resources. Now, we just need state decision-makers to take action and turn our potential into a reality.