Arizona State University solar panels
Solar power in one of the sunniest states in the U.S. scored a significant victory last week. “Big Solar” came to the rescue of Arizona solar power when it killed an anti-solar bill that was pending in the legislature.
State Republican senator Debbie Lasko introduced a bill (H.B. 2701) that would have gutted Arizona’s renewable portfolio standard. For now, the bill will not become state law, thanks to Suntech Power Holdings‘s threat to withdraw plans for a solar manufacturing plant in Arizona.
However, Arizona solar is not out of the woods yet. Another bill (H.B. 2381) has been introduced by Rep. Carl Seel (R) that would remove the right of the Arizona Corporate Commission which regulates utilities to mandate renewable energy standards (RES). At all! In effect, it would completely undermine the RES passed in 2006, which requires utilities to obtain at least 15% of their energy from renewable resources by 2025. That includes a percentage from solar photovoltaics.
You might wonder why solar power in Arizona is facing such a significant head-wind from opponents. After all, the state is situated in one of the best solar regions in the world. Yet, solar hangs in the balance, particularly as new, potential solar industries gauge the political atmosphere and may decide that its too risky to take solar to Arizona.
Indeed, Arizona faces industrial competition in the solar/green tech industries from several neighboring states. California, Oregon, Colorado and Michigan may all lure solar companies away from the Grand Canyon State and the precipice that its state legislature has become….
Tags: anti-solar, arizona solar power, best solar regions, big solar, renewable portfolio, solar industries, solar photovoltaics, solar plant arizona, suntech power holdings
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