APS and McCarthy Building complete construction of Desert star solar plant

Jun 18, 2015 -- MarketLine

Arizona Public Service, or APS, and McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. have announced the completion of construction of the Desert star solar plant.

The event marked the inauguration of the ninth solar project to be constructed under APS's AZ Sun program. When complete this year, AZ Sun will generate enough solar energy to power more than 42,000 homes. Full commercial operations are expected to begin at the plant in July.

"APS has spent 60 years advancing solar technology through innovative programs, research and partnerships like this one with the City of Phoenix," said Tammy McLeod, APS vice president for resource management. "Desert Star is a wonderful example of the creative successes that can be achieved when solar companies and utilities, and in this case cities, work together toward a common goal of making Arizona a leader in solar energy."

The project represents the growing trend of collaboration taking place today between government and private industry to efficiently develop more renewable energy choices that meet the changing ways people are using energy. The city of Phoenix is leasing the land to APS, which will own and operate the 10-megawatt plant. Upon completion, the plant will produce enough solar energy to power about 2,500 homes. The project is taking place within the City of Buckeye's jurisdiction for permitting and plan reviews. McCarthy served as the general contractor for engineering, procurement and construction.

The plant consists of more than 50,000 photovoltaic panels mounted on single axis tracker steel frames spread across 118 acres of land located within the city of Phoenix SR-85 Landfill. The eight-month construction project employed nearly 250 workers during its term, with 140 crew and support staff at its peak. By providing on-site training in utility-scale solar construction for workers in pile driving, tracker assembly and panel installation, the Desert Star Solar Plant was instrumental in establishing the foundation for a new skilled labor force in solar construction.

"McCarthy has had the privilege of serving as the EPC contractor on three AZ Sun projects in recent years, and regularly works with the city of Phoenix to construct important infrastructure projects that provide valuable resources and services to our community," said Bo Calbert, president of McCarthy's Southwest Region.

"Having the opportunity to participate in this unique collaboration, while providing construction training in a developing industry to our local workforce, has made this one of the most rewarding projects for our team."

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