Arizona Public Service (APS) on Oct. 1 announced it is issuing a request for proposals (RFP) to test the market for new large-scale solar installations in Arizona that could be developed in partnership with large commercial and industrial customers.

“This is another important opportunity to extend Arizona’s leadership in solar energy,” Daniel Froetscher, APS senior vice president of transmission and distribution operations and customers, said. “Many of our large customers are interested in getting more of their electricity from solar. Large-scale solar plants are the most cost-effective way to meet that desire.”

Arizona is an ideal location for solar energy development. The state is already regarded for having some of the highest solar penetration per capita in the nation. Figuring out the most beneficial way to capture the sun’s rays and turn it into clean energy for customers – at the time of day when customers need it most – is something APS has long pursued. Similar to the construction of APS’s other large-scale solar plants, this new facility will be built to maximize solar production efficiently and cost effectively.

If responses to the RFP are competitive, APS intends to explore partnerships with customers whereby APS would select a developer to build up to 40 MW of solar; APS would operate the facility once complete; and customers could sign up to purchase the output. Several customers already have expressed interest in the concept.

Projects must utilize commercially proven solar technology. The RFP commenced on Oct. 1; interested parties are encouraged to participate in a bidder’s webinar on Oct. 14. Additional information about the webinar and the RFP is available online at aps.com/rfp.

APS, Arizona’s largest and longest-serving electricity utility, serves nearly 1.2 million customers in 11 of the state’s 15 counties. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

Lead image: View of solar panels in the Mojave Desert. Credit: Shutterstock.

