12 September 5 - 18, 2009
Community
www.SanTanSun.com
Solar from Page 1
Mackay has been in negotiations with some of these clean, green jobs – as well as subsidiary increases.
business interests for two years or more, hoping to lure industries – to the area.” SRP encourages customers to fi nd ways
them to Chandler. She notes that the city had an edge on to reduce electric bills both short- and long-
other areas since Chandler already had the infrastructure
Strong secondary impact
term. Its website, www.savewithsrp.com,
necessary for such operations as well as a highly qualifi ed
The migration of solar companies to
provides energy-saving advice, information
technology workforce.
Chandler is also expected to bring a related
on appliance rebates and details on less
“Solar plants require the same type of gas and water
wave of new employment in what Mackay
costly time-of-use plans. SRP is also offering
lines, fi ber-optic cabling and other services we already
dubs the secondary impact. This fl ood of Mary Contreras
subsidies of up to $8,000 to qualifi ed low-
have in the Price Road Corridor,” Mackay notes. “And
potential opportunities includes everything
income customers to make their homes
they have a very good workforce relationship with the
from technicians to maintenance workers to waitresses
more energy effi cient.
semiconductor industry. The two complement each
at local sandwich shops, all of whom will be needed
other nicely.”
to support the new plants and their employees. She Saving money, save the planet
estimates the ripple effect could easily provide more jobs For a growing number of area residents, utility price
New law lights way than the solar companies themselves. increases are less of a concern. Families and business
Even with advantages offered by existing infrastructure, “When Intel came to Chandler, 47 other companies alike have found that going solar is paying off in a variety
Chandler needed help closing the sale. On July 10, Gov. came here to support them,” reports Mackay. “Vendors, of ways.
Jan Brewer signed Senate Bill 1403, which offers tax suppliers, support services will be needed again for this “The benefi ts of using solar are enormous,” says Kim
breaks and fi nancial incentives to renewable energy new industry and they will follow them here.” Hill of Chandler-based Sun Valley Solar Solutions. “On
companies bringing jobs to Arizona. For Chandler, average, a Phoenix area homeowner with solar electric
passage of SB 1403 was the fi nal piece of the
Good time to think solar
can expect to save more than $1,500 a year on utility
puzzle necessary to land a number of major
News of the solar industry’s arrival in
bills.”
deals.
Chandler comes just as SRP, the largest
Hill says solar systems increase a home’s resale value
“This bill was designed to help bring solar
provider of electricity to the Phoenix area,
by tens of thousands of dollars. Relying on the sun for
manufacturing plants to the state and to
prepared to hike utility rates this fall.
electricity benefi ts the environment, too, providing clean,
Chandler,” says Sen. Jay Tibshraeny, who
However, because of critical public input,
renewable energy without producing any toxic fumes or
was instrumental in passing the legislation.
the SRP board of directors voted to delay the
waste materials. And because such systems draw power
“Several companies had been looking at
average 8.8 percent base-price increase until
from the sun, the energy supply is virtually inexhaustible.
Chandler but needed this law to get things
May 2010.
Mary Contreras of Las Brisas in Chandler, who recently
moving.”
A media advisory on the company’s
converted her State Farm Insurance offi ce in Tempe
The law provides such attractive terms as
website says the base-price increase
to solar, echoes that praise. Her retrofi t was done by
reduced property taxes and credits on capital
Sen. Jay Tibshraeny proposed by SRP management includes the
Dependable Solar as an SRP project last December.
investments to renewable energy companies
costs “related to producing and delivering
“I couldn’t be happier,” says Contreras. “It’s taken a
that relocate to the area. Amounts are
electricity excluding fuel, new capital infrastructure and
big bite out of my electric bill, and I’ve already reduced
determined on a sliding scale depending on the wages,
the maintenance of SRP’s aging generation, transmission
carbon emissions by over 100 tons.”
benefi ts and total number of jobs each company would
and distribution systems.”
provide.
Board members also asked SRP management to
Miriam Van Scott of Kerby Estates is a freelance writer and
“Chandler is well-positioned to reap the benefi ts of
continue to seek ways to cut costs and reduce expenses
Chandler transplant from the Washington, D.C. area. She can be
the solar industry,” explains Tibshraeny. “This is the next
reached at Miriam@SanTanSun.com.
to help defray the size of any potential future price
generation of manufacturing and will bring high-wage,
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76