Solar Energy

Tempe-based First Solar building a $1.1B manufacturing plant in Alabama

November 23, 2022

Alabama will soon welcome an Arizona green manufacturer that will invest more than $1.1 billion bringing a facility to the state. Tempe-headquartered First Solar Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) plans to establish a photovoltaic (PV) solar module manufacturing facility in Lawrence County, creating more than 700 new jobs in North Alabama. According to a release, the factory is part of the company’s previously announced investment in scaling its American manufacturing footprint to more than 10 gigawatts by 2025.

Arizona’s clean energy future could swing on governor’s race

October 12, 2022

For a state with bountiful solar resources, Arizona’s path to a clean energy economy remains rocky as voters to prepare to choose their next governor. State regulators went back and forth on a possible mandate for 100 percent clean electricity before scrapping it earlier this year. Arizona no longer has a dedicated state energy office, even as the current Republican governor has worked to encourage manufacturing of renewables and batteries. Only about 16 percent of the state’s power generation came from renewable sources in 2021, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That’s despite EIA also saying the state has the nation’s second-greatest solar potential.

Arizona ranks among national leaders in solar growth

October 10, 2022

Arizona ranks 5th in the nation for growth in solar power generation since 2012, according to a new online dashboard released today by Environment Arizona Research & Policy Center. The dashboard, Renewables on the Rise 2022, documents the growth of six key clean energy technologies across the United States over the past decade: solar power, wind power, battery storage, energy efficiency, electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging stations.

Arizona continues to attract solar development projects, more new jobs

September 26, 2022

The Valley has seen a significant increase in solar development in recent years with several new projects planned or proposed to support the growing number of homes in the region, land and real estate experts say. Vermaland, a Phoenix land banking and residential land company, said it currently has more than 10,000 acres under lease across 16 sites with several different power developers.

My View: Federal legislation energizes Arizona for a cleaner tomorrow

September 23, 2022

Imagine a different sort of America. Imagine that by 2030, homes, businesses and communities will be powered by more options for clean energy. This is no longer just a pipe dream but a reality, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) recently brought to life with the signature of President Joe Biden. And let’s not forget Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, whose pivotal vote helped get the measure across the goal line.

Building co. gears up workforce to construct nearby solar facility

September 19, 2022

McCarthy Building Companies Inc. is mobilizing its workforce on the new Agave Solar Plant, a 150-megawatt (MWac) solar facility located in Arlington, Ariz., in the southwestern part of Maricopa County. Secured as the EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) contractor by Arizona Public Service Company (APS) to construct the 1,423-acre project, the project team is scaling up its workforce and will peak at approximately 200 local workers.

POLL: In Arizona and Nevada, climate change solutions supported across racial, political lines

September 14, 2022

New polling out of Arizona and Nevada commissioned by Dream.Org finds that the majority of voters, regardless of politics or race, believe that climate change is contributing to more extreme weather. The findings come as communities experience higher utility bills and dangerous working conditions from rising temperatures and dangerous weather. Further, a majority of people polled believe that investments like increasing wind and solar power will have an impact in addressing climate change. Polling demonstrated bipartisan support among both Biden and Trump voters.

Solar jobs are coming to Arizona, and environmentalists, economists and engineers can’t wait

September 9, 2022

Holding up blue and green signs reading “Climate Can’t Wait” and “Fight for Our Future,” a coalition of local leaders on the front lines of Arizona’s climate fight gathered Thursday — just ahead of Labor Day — at the Tempe Transportation Center to celebrate the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. The measure, signed into law by President Joe Biden on Aug. 16, includes $369 billion to reduce carbon emissions and expand renewable energy infrastructure, with $60 billion earmarked for clean manufacturing job creation.

Phoenix-based Singlepoint primed for growth after refocusing solar strategy

September 8, 2022

Singlepoint, a renewable energy company based in Phoenix, is on track for major growth thanks in part to a new strategy and recently passed federal legislation. Singlepoint Inc. (OTCQB: SING) owns several smaller subsidiary companies, most of which work in the solar industry. Most notably, Singlepoint acquired Boston Solar in April, which has already provided a major boost to revenue this year.

First Solar to invest $1.2 billion in US manufacturing output following new climate law

September 7, 2022

Tempe-based First Solar, the largest U.S.-based solar panel manufacturer, announced on Tuesday that it would spend up to $1.2 billion to expand its U.S. manufacturing capacity, mainly in Ohio and the Southeast part of the country. First Solar (Nasdaq: FSLR) said it would spend $1 billion to build a new factory, its fourth, somewhere in the Southeast, but the company would not say which states it is considering. A location decision is expected by the end of September.

Solar Energy

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