Jun 06 - The Sun (Yuma, Ariz.)



Business owners around Yuma are finding that going solar makes "dollars and cents" for them.

And in the process they not only are benefitting their business, but helping the environment, too.

After all, as Richard Sprague noted, Yuma has all that sunshine, why not put it to good use?

 Sprague, owner of Sprague's Sports, is one of an increasing number of Yuma-area businesses that now have their own mini power plant by tapping in to the sun's rays to generate electricity with solar panels mounted on top of their buildings and covered parking shelters.

On paper it added up, Sprague said. With federal and state tax credits, the rebate offered by Arizona Public Service Co. for renewable energy credits, lower utility bills and depreciation, he figures his investment will be paid off in 4 1/2 years. From then through the expected 30-year life of his solar panels, he will be enjoying free electricity.

Plus, he has covered parking. And it's all adding to the value of his property.

In the meantime, he's already seeing a substantial reduction in his electric bills with a savings of close to $2,000 a month.

And since January, he figures his solar system has kept 69,477 pounds of CO2 out of the atmosphere.

Going solar definitely is a growing trend in the area, said Alan Kircher, city of Yuma deputy building official. He noted that so far this year through May, the city has issued three permits for commercial solar projects. That compares to four commercial solar projects in all of 2009, three in 2008 and one in 2006.

As for residential solar projects, the city already has issued so far this year, which was the total for all of 2009. There were six residential projects in 2008, one in 2007 and one in 2005.

And more are expected in the coming months, Kircher said.

Dan Hoskin, owner of Smart Solar Solutions, a Paradise Valley-based company that designs and installs solar photovoltaic for commercial applications, agreed he's seeing more activity in Yuma than other parts of the state, including Tucson and Phoenix.

"I think we'll see 20 or 30 more companies go solar by the end of the summer," he said.

For example, he said, Fisher Automotive plans to go solar at Fisher Chrysler and Fisher Collision Center, Hoskin said. The systems will consist of 1,072 solar panels to sit on top of the carports at the two locations and are expected to generate about 325,000 kilowatt-hours of solar electricity annually.

Smart Solar CEO Nick Davison estimates Fisher will save about $2 million over the next 30 years.

Hoskin said it's like "a perfect storm" for interest in solar power among Yuma businesses. Prominent business owners such as Mike Perry of AA Val-U-Stor and Sprague are leading the way. And accounting firm Misenhimer Aivazian & Tennant can demonstrate on paper as well as with its own experience why going solar may make good financial sense for a business.

Through the, those installing a solar system can get a percent ftcthe The state and APS offer other incentives as well. And with the ability to generate much of their own electricity, the businesses will have a hedge against future APS rate increases.

"The economics are impressive," said Craig Williams, manager of the Yuma International Airport, which recently announced plans to install shaded parking at the airport that will hold solar panels. "It's expensive, but there are ways to make it pay."

He estimated that the solar system will generate enough electricity to power the airport terminal.

"We expect that will save a ton of money in 20 years," he said. "And we're getting shaded parking -- what we really wanted -- at no cost."

Williams offered two bits of advice: shop around and hire a consultant to help design the best system for your business.

The incentives made it possible to install solar panels at his clinic, said Dr. Robert Barnett, who recently opened Yuma Wellness Center in Tuscany Plaza.

But going solar also fit with his desire to have a green building, which also has such features as low heat windows and extra insulation.

"With the cost so much lower, it made sense to go green," Barnett said. "I can do the right thing by the environment and save money, too."

Andrea Bereznak, community liaison for APS, said the growing interest in solar power benefits everyone.

"It's good for the environment and the peoples' pocketbooks. And it helps APS."

That's because people turning to alternative energy sources reduces the need for the utility to invest in costly energy generation and transmission infrastructure, she said. And the solar power generated by businesses and homes counts toward the state's requirement that APS generate 15 percent of its power with renewable energy sources by 2025.

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