SRP boosting solar battery storage that can power 100K homes

PHOENIX — Salt River Project is boosting its solar power battery storage by 340 megawatts.

That solar energy can power 100,000 homes, even at night.

“Everyone’s starting to come home, they’re starting to turn on their ACs, they’re starting to cook dinner,” said SRP spokeswoman Patty Garcia-Likens said. “We can utilize that power.”

She says independent plants near Buckeye and Coolidge will produce the green, emissions-free energy which SRP will buy.

“And they can get those tax credits that SRP otherwise would not qualify for,” Garcia-Likens said.

SRP wants 1,000 megawatts of solar power by 2025. Garcia-Likens figures solar battery expansions will lead to lower customer utility bills.

“These integrated solar and storage plants will allow SRP to meet its summer peak demand, reduce carbon emissions, and provide clean energy to our customers while optimizing energy output using state-of-the-art battery technology,” said SRP General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Mike Hummel in a statement.

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