Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is developing a large solar array at Fort
Huachuca in Sierra Vista, Ariz., through an innovative partnership that
will help the U.S. Army achieve its renewable energy and energy security
objectives.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held today for the array, which is
expected to have a capacity of approximately 18 megawatts (MW) when it
comes online later this year. That’s enough power to satisfy one-quarter
of the base’s energy needs and is equivalent to the annual electric
needs of approximately 3,100 homes.
TEP will own and operate the array, providing Fort Huachuca with
unmatched reliability and a streamlined development process available
only through this unique partnership. TEP has contracted with E.ON
Climate & Renewables, a partner on other successful solar projects, for
the system’s construction.
“We’re very proud to provide Fort Huachuca with a cost-effective solar
power resource that will contribute to the base’s long-term energy
security,” said David Hutchens, President and Chief Operating Officer of
TEP and its parent company, UNS Energy Corporation (NYSE: UNS). “This
new, productive partnership will benefit our customers while helping
both the base and TEP make significant progress toward our respective
renewable energy goals.”
The Fort Huachuca system will be larger than any existing solar array on
any U.S. Department of Defense base in the world. Once in operation, it
will serve as the largest single solar resource owned by TEP. The system
will offset more than 58,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year while
reducing other emissions associated with generating an equivalent amount
of power with fossil fuels.
The system at Fort Huachuca will be connected to an existing substation
through a single interconnection on TEP’s side of the meter. Any excess
energy the system generates will flow back into the grid for use by
other TEP customers.
Combined with energy storage and other future enhancements, the system
will be capable of providing the base with unique energy security
benefits that would not be available through a third-party system. TEP’s
engineering capabilities and familiarity with renewable energy
integration will help the base avoid interconnection delays, permitting
problems and other common pitfalls associated with building a solar
array.
“Fort Huachuca had a unique set of objectives and we were committed to
satisfying them,” said Philip J. Dion, Senior Vice President of Public
Policy and Customer Solutions. “By working creatively with the fort’s
leadership and the Army’s Energy Initiatives Task Force, we were able to
develop a solution that serves our customer’s energy needs while
establishing a model that supports the Army’s mission to expand its
renewable resources.”
The system will add to the robust renewable energy portfolio that has
earned TEP a place among the nation’s leading solar utilities. By the
end of 2014, TEP expects to have more than 200 MW of utility-scale solar
generating capacity – enough to meet the annual electric needs of 42,000
homes. TEP’s solar energy resources include utility-owned systems and
other local resources secured through power purchase agreements as well
as approximately 80 MW of distributed-generation systems installed by
TEP customers.
TEP’s successful track record of solar energy development has earned the
company repeated recognition among the Solar Electric Power Association
Top 10 Utility Solar Rankings as well as the honor of being named the
group’s 2012 investor-owned Utility of the Year.
“We’ve been expanding our company-owned solar resources by 20 MW each
year through large local systems,” said Carmine Tilghman, TEP Senior
Director of Wholesale, Fuels and Renewable Resources. “Our partnership
with Fort Huachuca offers us an opportunity to achieve a full year’s
worth of progress at a single site.”
TEP provides safe, reliable electric service to approximately 413,000
customers in southern Arizona. To learn more, visit tep.com.
For more information about UNS Energy, visit uns.com.
Copyright Business Wire 2014