Arizona to Highlight State Solar Incentives

Arizona State University (ASU) President Michael Crow concurs. Under Crow’s leadership ASU is working to insure that "Arizona is the leading center for the development, manufacture, use, distribution and control of solar-based energy systems."

In Tucson, the Arizona Research Institute for Solar Energy at the University of Arizona is another global solar leader. "Through world-leading research initiatives Arizona is leading the way into the solar age," said University of Arizona President Robert Shelton.

"Arizona receives enough daily sunshine to power the entire United States. Leading the way into a solar powered future is a top priority for the state," said Curry.

The state is home to Solana, a 280-megawatt concentrating solar power plant under construction–it is the largest such project on private land in the U.S. Arizona is also home to the largest photovoltaic array on U.S. government land–a 15-megawatt plant under construction at Luke Air Force Base.

Home to global solar manufacturers, Arizona is a leader in solar production and research. The advantages to solar industry leaders go beyond Arizona’s abundant sunshine. Arizona has the resources, the technology and the political support to build on its position as a global leader in solar energy.

In 2009 Arizona took a bold step by adopting an aggressive Renewable Energy Tax Incentives Program to promote the renewable energy industry. The incentives advance Arizona’s leadership position in solar energy manufacturing by promoting business investment through tax incentives to companies in the solar, wind, geothermal and other renewable energy industries that are expanding or locating in Arizona.

The program offers two benefits: up to a 10 percent refundable income tax credit and up to a 75 percent reduction on real and personal property taxes. Additional details on the incentives are available at the Arizona Commerce Authority Web site.

Bennett Curry, of the Arizona Commerce Authority, will be leading the state’s delegation which will include: APS (an electric utility), the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, and leaders from the cities of Surprise, Maricopa, Chandler, Glendale, Goodyear, Prescott Valley, the Town of Gilbert and other Arizona communities. Curry, and all of the others representing the state, will be located at the Arizona booth #3000.

The Arizona Commerce Authority, formerly the Arizona Department of Commerce, is dedicated to welcoming domestic and international businesses to Arizona and encouraging the expansion of existing businesses in the State. The agency maintains foreign trade offices in Asia, Europe and Mexico. The Arizona Commerce Authority plays a leading role in promoting the solar industry in Arizona and views solar as an important global growth industry with Arizona positioned to lead the way into a future powered by the sun.

www.azcommerce.com/BusAsst/Incentives/renewable_benefit.htm