The City of Tucson, Ariz. is now generating 2.3 megawatts of solar power at seven of its facilities and will save $6.2 million over the next 25 years. The city made a commitment to sustainability in 2008 when it started to pursue its first solar installation, said Ed Orrett, the SPG Solar senior project development manager who managed the Tucson account.

SPG won that contract and installed 1 megawatt of solar on several of the city’s buildings. The project was funded with Clean Renewable Energy Bonds from the federal government, Orrett said. “Those arrays are all still up and running,” he said. “Fortunately, we ended up with the opportunity to have a second contract with them.”  SPG bid on a second round of solar installations and recently added another 1.3 megawatts on rooftops carports and ground mounts.  The newest solar arrays were also funded with Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, Orrett said.

Tucson Electric Power and the city wanted to showcase its commitment to sustainability and a major solar installation on multiple city facilities was a solid way to convey a message while also saving the city in energy consumption and costs over the next 25 years, Orrett said.  SPG was proud to get the second contract, he said.  “I think any company would like to have a reference like the city of Tucson,” Orrett said.  The new installation created 60 green construction jobs and two student internships, according to a release from SPG.

Orrett said he doesn’t know if Tucson will pursue new solar projects, but that it’s possible. While the company has a relationship with the city now, it doesn’t mean SPG will be selected for all future projects.  “We have to earn their business every time,” he said.  High-profile and impacting projects like this one are always worth bidding on, he said. "It makes a statement,” he said. “It’s a statement for the city and for us.”