Patterson helps open new UA Tech Park solar plant

TUCSON -- A new solar power plant opened at 9am today at the University of Arizona’s Tech Park, producing enough energy to power more than 500 area homes.

Rep. Daniel Patterson, D-Tucson (District 29) is congratulating Amonix solar company and UA for their new plant that will offset more than 4,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year and consume no water during production.

“In Tucson, we are taking a step to put Arizona first again by harnessing our natural strengths to build a strong 21st Century economy,” said Patterson, an ecologist and ranking member of the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “That includes making our state a leader in the development of solar power and renewable energy manufacturing — which not only reduces our reliance on coal and foreign oil, but helps create good-paying jobs right here in Arizona that can’t be exported across the border, or overseas to China.”

The new solar power plant will be a centerpiece to the university’s Tech Park on Tucson's southeast side. Amonix’s system is the first of a series of privately owned, utility-scale solar power projects that are being developed in the Tucson area. Amonix is a recognized leader in designing and manufacturing concentrated photovoltaic solar power systems that require no water in power production, use land better, and produce more energy per acre than any other solar technology.

Arizona Rep. Daniel Patterson's comments at the solar plant’s power activation event today in Tucson:

Hello and welcome. Thanks to all of you for being here today.

Hi I'm Rep. Daniel Patterson. I represent District 29 right here in Tucson. I'm an ecologist and I serve as Ranking Member on the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Today is a very important day.

Today we are taking a step to put Arizona first again by harnessing our natural strengths to build a strong 21st Century economy and create good-paying jobs. That includes making our state a leader in the development of solar power and renewable energy manufacturing — which not only reduces our reliance on coal and foreign oil, but helps create good-paying jobs right here in Arizona that can’t be exported across the border, or overseas to China.

Concentrated photovoltaics (CPV) is one of the newest forms of solar energy technology on the market today. CPV systems use optics to concentrate a large amount of sunlight onto a small area of solar photovoltaic materials to generate electricity. Unlike traditional, more conventional flat panel systems, CPV systems are often much less expensive to produce, because the concentration allows for the production of a much smaller area of solar cells.

Concentrated Photovoltaics (CPV) has long been touted as the next level in the evolution of solar photovoltaics technology. Thanks to its unique combination of high efficiency cells, optic elements and precise tracking, CPV is able to produce more energy at a lower cost.

We're looking at 2MW of clean solar power, that will power 500 homes a year and use no water in the power production.

Tucson is leading on embracing the future of renewable energy and making it a reality.

I want to praise Amonix, University of Arizona's Science and Technology Park, and Tucson Electric Power for creating a unique partnership that brings scientific innovation and economical benefits to the city of Tucson and their citizens.

Thank you!