Arizona utility tapping into solar energy to cool off customers

PHOENIX — For the first time, Arizona Public Service said solar energy will be used to help meet peak customer summer demand.

Brad Albert, general manager of resource management with APS, said the Solana Generating Station that came online in October was capable of powering 80,000 homes.

“The unique thing about Solana is that it incorporates energy storage into the plant’s design, which means it can produce or continue to produce at full power output levels when our customers need it the most,” Albert said.

Power consumption peaks in July and August.

“The monsoon keeps the night time temperatures higher on the hotter peak time days. We’ll see lows of 95 on the peak days. That’s misery,” Albert said.