PHOENIX, Oct 21, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Arizona Public Service Company’s efforts to increase the adoption of renewable energy continue to earn national recognition. In the last week, two prestigious organizations, the Solar Energy Power Association (SEPA) and the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS), recognized APS for programs that are leading Arizona down a path where renewable energy plays an increasingly larger role.
On October 14, SEPA presented APS with two awards at Solar Power International, the largest solar power conference in North America. APS received the Utility Innovation in Solar Program Design award for its Community Power Project — Flagstaff Pilot. The project has APS and its partners studying the impact of operating a high concentration of solar electric systems along a single distribution line. Two hundred residential and commercial customers in northeast Flagstaff will host APS-owned and maintained rooftop photovoltaic systems at no upfront cost. In exchange, customers will receive a fixed energy price for 20 years.
“This project is a unique demonstration of how utility involvement in solar energy can be a win-win approach for the utility company, its customers and the local solar industry,” said Julia Hamm, President and CEO of SEPA. “The program accomplishes multiple goals, including helping customers eliminate barriers, simplify photovoltaic adoption and helping the utility gain experience integrating distributed solar using smart grid technologies.”
APS also received SEPA’s Utility Community Outreach and Public Awareness award for The Renewables — The World’s Most Sustainable Superheroes. Solar Man, Wind Woman, Guyzer (geothermal energy), Bio (biomass) and Tank (hydro) are a team of superheroes who educate and inform Arizona’s young people and families about the benefits of renewable energy and energy efficiency. The Renewables characters appear on posters, book bags, t-shirts, trading cards and in a comic book. The superheroes regularly represent APS (in live and inflatable forms) at area sporting events (Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks) and other community activities.
In addition, The Renewables program was named The Best Green Power Education Outreach Program by CRS. The recognition came October 20 during the Energy Markets Conference 2010, an annual conference co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The CRS Green Power Leadership awards recognize effective and unique outreach programs focusing on education related to green power.
“CRS is proud to recognize APS and The Renewables campaign for its creative and positive approach to educating young people about renewable energy,” said Arthur O’Donnell, CRS Executive Director. “The Renewables serve as modern, high-impact icons for the clean energy business, while adding a dimension of fun to the process.”
APS, Arizona’s largest and longest-serving electricity utility, serves more than 1.1 million customers in 11 of the state’s 15 counties. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (PNW 42.18, -0.02, -0.05%) .
SOURCE: APS
