THREE STEPS FROM SOLAR SUCCESS

The scramble is on for the capture of Southern Arizona's immense solar energy potential. More than one evaluation concludes that WHEN (not IF) the geniuses in the solar energy industry figure out how to store sunshine (they're getting closer everyday) and the laggards in D.C. build the transmission infrastructure the country needs and deserves (they'll get to it someday), Arizona will have a lot of electricity to sell.

Solar Power 2007, September 24-27, Long Beach, CA.

Report: Increase financial incentives for tapping into solar energy
Shelley Shelton, September 17, 2007 (Arizona Daily Star)

WHO
U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

Arizona is the densely red and orange box at the tip of Nevada just a little brighter and hotter than Southern California. (click to enlarge)


WHAT
The Community Solar Energy Initiative report: Solar Energy In Southern Arizona

WHEN
Report released September 14. It cites the long range goal of supplying electricity to all of the US via its solar energy supply. (NewEnergynews: All it would take is a way to store it and a way to send it.)

WHERE
The report covers solar energy in sun-drenched Southern Arizona.

WHY
- To achieve the long range goal, the report cites 3 key development areas:
1. Market growth: (a) extend federal solar energy tax credit (homeowners and businesses) thru 2016; (b) implement Renewable Energy Standard Tariff (REST) that requires utilitities to get 15% of electricity from renewables such as solar by 2025; (c) implement all other incentives including support of new solar businesses and tax credits to utilities.
2. R & D: (a) improved efficiencies; (b) improved storage capacity; (c) improved transmission; (d) build a solar research center
3. Education/Outreach: (a) educate in environmental associations, school districts, library interconnections, science teacher organizations, neighborhood and homeowners associations, and faith-based communities; (b) organize business-education partnerships; (c) fund installation of solar in schools;

click to enlarge

QUOTES
Congresswoman Giffords' report: “Experts who developed the report agree that Arizona has enough daily sunshine to provide power for the entire United States. However, despite the bountiful sunshine, well over 90% of Southern Arizona’s electricity is fueled by coal…The challenge that looms is how to transform Arizona’s energy portfolio by significantly increasing the proportion of solar generated electricity for use by the people of Arizona and, ultimately, for transmission to other states…The “Solar Energy in Southern Arizona” report is an important first step in a long term process. The action steps included in the document are intended to keep solar magic growing in Southern Arizona, with people from a wide range of disciplines dedicated to mining the potential and working together honestly and diligently toward the greater good of our region.”