TUCSON, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Amonix Inc. today unveiled a utility-scale solar energy 2-megawatt (MW) AC Nameplate power plant in the Solar Zone at the University of Arizona’s Science and Technology Park (UASTP) that will produce enough energy to power more than 500 Tucson-area homes. Powered by 36 Amonix concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar power systems, the 12-acre facility will offset more than 5,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per year, while preserving the local environment by consuming no water during power production. As a result of Amonix’s partnership with Granite Construction, rapid installation – ½ MW per day, post pedestal install – was made possible.
“The Solar Zone is just one of many examples of the University of Arizona and Tucson Electric Power’s leadership in sustainability, renewable energy and solar,” said Brian Robertson, Amonix CEO. “What makes the Solar Zone compelling is the focus on making it a home for high-performance commercialized solar equipment that offers significant advantages to developers of solar power plants. It also creates economic benefits, including clean energy jobs and clean power, for the residents of Southern Arizona.”
“The UA Tech Park is pleased to have Amonix as a centerpiece of our Solar Zone. As a leader in concentrated photovoltaic technology, they bring enormous technical know-how in the fast-paced renewable energy sector. Their continued drive in improving efficiencies and the economics of CPV technology is an effort the University of Arizona is keen to collaborate with Amonix on to make this region the recognized center of solar energy technology development and deployment,” said Bruce Wright, associate vice president for University Research Parks. “The Solar Zone is the ideal environment to create, test and deploy current and future solar technologies. Important firms like Amonix and Tucson Electric Power are leading the way in new, innovative products and programs that make solar energy affordable and usable for us all.”
Amonix’s system is the first in a series of privately owned, utility-scale solar power projects that are being developed in the Tucson area to serve Tucson Electric Power (TEP) customers. TEP has agreed to purchase the output of 10 systems, which would add a total of 127 MW of local solar generating capacity to the company’s growing renewable energy portfolio. TEP is also developing its own solar power systems, including a 1.6 MW array which was completed last year in the Solar Zone.
“We are very pleased that Amonix’s new array is producing clean, green energy for our customers,” said Paul Bonavia, chairman, president and CEO of TEP and its parent company, UniSource Energy (NYSE: UNS). “Amonix’s system represents a new level of innovation in solar energy development, and its installation in the Solar Zone will help us evaluate its performance alongside other solar technologies operating under the same conditions.”
The solar power plant was developed through a partnership between Amonix, the University of Arizona Science & Technology Park and TEP, which has a 20-year agreement to purchase the facility’s electricity.
Robertson noted that the Solar Zone has been designed with careful attention to preserving local natural resources. “Amonix systems use no water in the production of power and are less disruptive to the land because they are pedestal mounted,” he said. “Also, when the site was being prepared, the university took special precautions to inventory, remove and relocate native desert plants in cooperation with Tucson-Pima Succulent Society.”
About UASTP and the Solar Zone
The Solar Zone at the UA Tech Park is a comprehensive and supportive environment where companies can develop, test and demonstrate the next generation of renewable energy products and technologies. The goals of the Solar Zone are to attract private investment; create sustainable, high-wage jobs; develop a skilled workforce; support utility efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels; and educate the public on the importance of sustainable energy.
The UA Tech Park advances the University of Arizona’s research mission and its efforts at technology development and technology commercialization. The UA Tech Park contributes $3.0 billion annually to Pima County’s economy. It is one of the region’s largest employment centers, hosting 43 businesses and organizations that employ 7,000 people. The UA Tech Park is also home to the Arizona Center for Innovation, a technology business incubator, and three educational institutions - UA South, Pima Community College, and Vail Academy and High School. The UA Tech Park has been nationally recognized as one of the premier university research parks in North America. For more information, visit www.uatechpark.org.
About Tucson Electric Power
TEP provides safe, reliable power to more than 400,000 customers in southern Arizona. For more information, visit tep.com. To learn more about parent company UniSource Energy, visit uns.com.
About Amonix
Amonix is the recognized leader in designing and manufacturing concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar power systems that require no water in power production, use land better and produce more energy per acre than any other solar technology. With the longest track record of real-world CPV deployments in the industry, Amonix is proven to be the best choice for solar power systems in sunny and dry climates. Amonix is headquartered in Seal Beach, Calif., with a manufacturing facility in North Las Vegas, Nev. For more information, visit http://www.amonix.com and visit the Amonix blog at http://www.amonix.com/blog.