Arizona has more than 2,500 megawatts (MW) of undeveloped solar energy potential, ranking it first in the United States.  Arizona’s solar energy offers one of our country’s greatest opportunities to increase energy self-reliance, to enhance energy security, and to protect our global environment and economy by reducing harmful emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.

The Arizona Solar Electric Roadmap Study, published by the Arizona Department of Commerce in January, 2007, identifies specific goals and objectives for the state’s solar energy development. These include:

• Accelerate solar adoption, and develop a solar electric industry in Arizona that will provide economic development

• Begin building large central solar plants by 2011

• Develop 1000 MW solar electricity capacity by 2020

The Study identifies multiple challenges that constrain the full development of Arizona’s solar energy potential. One of the most problematic is the fact that all forms of solar energy development require large amounts of land and surface areas to produce substantial amounts of electricity.

The Study suggests that Arizona State Trust Lands and tribal lands could be used for large scale solar development, provided that transmission, environmental, political and other important criteria are met. However, it does not consider lands managed by federal agencies or large swaths of land that have been cleared and developed as utility corridors.

To view an executive summary of the study click here. (PDF)

To view the complete study click here. (PDF)