Arizona's commitment to Clean Energy (News - Alert) is evident in its investments in solar energy in and around Prescott. A 194 kilowatt system at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University completed in 2001, a small system on the roof of Prescott College completed in 2004, and a 3.6-megawatt plant near the Prescott Regional Airport completed in 2006, spell the beginnings of the forging of a sustainable energy future for the state.

Continuing its efforts in this direction, APS, Arizona Public Service has entered into a partnership agreement with SunEdison, a subsidiary of MEMC Electronic Materials (News - Alert), Inc., and announced the construction of a utility-scale photovoltaic solar power plant located two miles north of the Prescott Regional Airport.

The announcement, made at an event held at the Hassayampa Inn in Prescott, focused on the latest solar deployment, which was expected to begin generation in the fall of 2011. During its operation in the next 30 years, the plant is expected to generate more than 25 million kilowatt-hours of clean energy in its first year of operation alone touching 653 million kilowatts in its lifetime.

According to the terms of the agreement, SunEdison (News - Alert) will claim ownership of the plant and be responsible for its operation. APS will purchase the entire output. The 10 megawatt facility is expected to meet the annual energy needs of 2,500 Arizona customers.

SunEdison and APS have already forged together in December and signed a deal for two other Arizona solar plants, both to be developed by SunEdison. A 20-megawatt facility in Chino Valley, another Prescott-area solar plant, and a 17-megawatt facility in Hyder will take Arizona's renewable portfolio totals to approximately 851 megawatts. On completion, APS will not merely purchase the total power output, but will own both the facilities.

In a press release, Don Robinson, APS president and chief operating officer, said that APS’s investments in renewable energy was well diversified by technology, ownership, size and location, and was forging a sustainable energy future for Arizona. 

Robinson further added, “With five solar facilities operating or under construction, Prescott is becoming an important hub for solar development. It is an ideal location because of its abundant sunshine, cooler weather, available land and access to the transmission system.”

Carlos Domenech, president of SunEdison, spoke highly of the company's smart, cost-effective, solar solutions that utilities had come to expect and trust. He further added, “We have a global demonstrated utility track record and welcome the opportunity to partner with a progressive utility like APS.”

In a related news release, SunEdison, received final approval from the Italian government to develop and construct a 72 Megawatt photovoltaic solar power plant in Northeastern Italy, near the town of Rovigo. When completed, this is expected to be the largest photovoltaic solar power plant in Europe.