Arizona, America’s Solar Leader, to Highlight State Solar Incentives

PHOENIX, AZ (October 6, 2010) — The Arizona Commerce Authority will be representing the state of Arizona at Solar Power International, North America’s largest solar conference, in Los Angeles on October 12-14.

“We take our position as a global leader in solar energy seriously and we are aggressively working to retain and advance our leadership in this important growth industry,” said Bennett Curry of the Arizona Commerce Authority.

“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.

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.

Home to many of the world’s leading solar manufacturers, Arizona is a leader in producing solar manufacturing equipment. 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.

Arizona took a bold step in 2009 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), and leaders from the cities of Surprise, Maricopa, Chandler, Glendale, Goodyear, Prescott Valley and the Town of Gilbert. Curry, and all of the others representing the state, will be located at the Arizona booth #3000.

Media Contact

Nicole McTheny, Arizona Commerce Authority, (602) 845-1231, [email protected]

About the Arizona Commerce Authority

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state’s leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona’s economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create – attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on Twitter at @azcommerce.