Tucson tech: Tucson-based Solon expanding its solar presence beyond state

Technicians with Tucson-based GeoInnovation installed photovoltaic panels at the Biosphere 2 Conference Center in October 2011. The panels were installed as a pilot project to test Solon Corp.'s SOLquick system for easy mounting on flat roofs.

Tucson tech: Tucson-based Solon expanding its solar presence beyond state

A year after its insolvent German parent was saved from possible oblivion by a buyout, Tucson-based solar-energy provider Solon Corp. is expanding into new markets outside of Arizona.

Solar-energy system goes online at 4 TV campuses

The solar arrays, including this one at Tanque Verde High School and others at Tanque Verde Elementary, Agua Caliente Elementary and Emily Gray Junior High, are expected to deliver 70 percent of the schools' energy needs.

Solar-energy system goes online at 4 Tanque Verde campuses

Tanque Verde Unified School District has switched on a multicampus solar energy system built by Tucson-based Solon Corp. that is expected to offset much of the district's daytime electricity needs.

Southeast-side solar plant completed

The Prairie Fire Solar Plant is near East Valencia and East Old Vail roads. Its construction took just 10 weeks and created the equivalent of 75 full-time local jobs. The overall project cost is about $16 million.

Southeast-side solar plant completed

Tucson-based solar energy provider Solon Corp. has completed construction of a 5-megawatt solar plant on the southeast side for Tucson Electric Power Co.

Cuts to renewable-energy incentives blasted

PHOENIX - Environmentalists and solar-industry leaders are saying they fear that recent cuts to renewable-energy incentives by the Arizona Corporation Commission will lead to future reductions that could harm the industry.

More turbulence ahead for Airport Authority

Groundbreaking is set for April on the first phase of this photovoltaic array and canopy over the daily parking lot in front of Tucson International Airport's main terminal. This phase, covering about half the lot, is expected to be done this summer.

More turbulence ahead for Airport Authority

Lisa Israel

More turbulence ahead for Airport Authority

Tucson International Airport will keep flying into financial headwinds in the next year, as airline cutbacks continue to depress airport revenue and passenger counts.

ACC slashes TEP's home solar incentive, kills commercial plan

State regulators on Wednesday approved an annual renewable-energy plan for Tucson Electric Power Co. that further slashes incentives for residential rooftop solar installations and for now eliminates incentives for commercial renewable-energy installations.

Solon Corp. flips on the switch at big solar plant near Kingman

One of the largest solar plants in the state - 10-megawatt Black Mountain Solar Power Project near Kingman - has been turned on. The energy produced at the solar farm, being purchased by UniSource Energy Services, will provide enough energy to meet the annual needs of about 1,900 homes.

Solon Corp. flips on the switch at big solar plant near Kingman

Tucson-based solar-energy developer Solon Corp. has turned on one of its biggest solar plants in the state, a 10-megawatt (DC) photovoltaic plant near Kingman.

ACC boss won't be a booster for solar

Says he won't rule out renewable energy.

ACC boss won't be a booster for solar

PHOENIX - The new chairman of the Arizona Corporation Commission signaled Monday that the days of pushing solar and renewable energy over other sources are over.

Avra Valley plant harvesting power of sun instead of cotton

Carolyn Campbell, the executive director of the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection, inspects some of the 410,760 solar panels in a solar plant built by NRG Solar. The Avra Valley Solar Generating Station will produce 34 megawatts of direct current.

Avra Valley plant harvesting power of sun instead of cotton

Jennifer Christelman, the environmental engineer division manager, and Curtis Woody, the economic development director, both with the town of Marana, autograph a solar panel.

Avra Valley plant harvesting power of sun instead of cotton

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Avra Valley plant harvesting power of sun instead of cotton

An aerial view shows the 300-acre solar plant in Avra Valley. TEP will buy power from the solar farm, which can generate enough power to meet the annual energy needs of about 5,000 homes, under a 20-year agreement.

Avra Valley plant harvesting power of sun instead of cotton

Fields northwest of Tucson that once yielded cotton by the ton are now producing clean electrical power, at the biggest solar power plant to be connected to Tucson Electric Power Co.'s power grid to date.