The energy storage system is expected to provide Arizonians with clean energy during peak summer days.
The project will be built and operated by First Solar and will include a 65MW solar field to charge the battery system. APS has signed a 15 year power purchase agreement with First Solar to enable the company to use the electricity, when there is a peak demand during the day.
First Solar CEO Mark Widmar said: “First Solar has long been a global leader in the deployment of utility-scale solar. Through this innovative project we are excited to partner with APS to demonstrate the capabilities of solar coupled with large-scale battery storage.
“Together, these technologies highlight the significant role for solar in providing reliable, cost effective energy.”
By pairing clean solar energy with advanced battery technology, the two companies will be able to store electricity when the sun is high in the sky and will deliver the power to the customers between late afternoon and night.
The solar and battery storage project will add a million PV panels and three grid-scale batteries to the current APS’s system. In the next 15 years, APS plans to add more than 500MW in additional battery storage.
APS chairman, president and CEO Don Brandt said: “Partnering with an Arizona company such as First Solar to pair solar power with advanced battery storage is good for our customers and continues our state’s national leadership in clean energy innovation.”
The storage facility, which will be located at APS Redhawk Power Plant in western Maricopa County, is scheduled to begin operations in 2021.
