Phoenix plans incentives for using solar energy

Imagine a solar power plant on your roof. That's what Mayor Phil Gordon wants to see in Phoenix.

In his State of the City Address, Gordon outlined a proposal for the Valley's first solar power plant in Buckeye, plans for the city to power its buildings from the sun and incentives for homeowners to use solar energy in their homes.

The mayor admitted solar power has one big challenge.

"the problem with using solar technology today is the cost," he said, posing the question, "Can people afford to advance money on the tax credits that they currently get from he federal government and the utilities, which only pay a portion?"

He said he hopes to make it easier for people to get loans to install a solar system.

"It's going to take a couple of weeks to put together, and we're going to work the legal documentation, but it's a program going forward," Gordon said.

The science policy advisor to Arizona State University President Michael Crow endorsed Gordon's visions of a"green" carbon-neutral city and a commitment to solar energy.

"We will as a consequence have cleaner air, better health, lower urban heat island and those kind of impacts that cities feel without our warming climate," Jim Buizer said.

He said converting to solar energy would make a big difference in energy bills.

"The average Phoenician would pay less because, after all, solar energy is really quite cost-effective."

On the Net:

• www.mayorgordon.com