News

TEP and Global Solar Energy Plan Solar Community in Tucson

February 24, 1999 by Jeff Shepard

Tucson Electric Power Co. (TEP, Tucson, AZ), sister company Global Solar Energy LLC (Wheat Ridge, Colorado) and Tucson commercial and home building firm John Wesley Miller Companies announced plans to develop a solar community in Tucson. The 14-acre community will be located in the historic Armory Park of Tucson and will consist of no more than 99 homes. According to TEP, the all-electric development will employ the latest technologies for using solar energy to supply electricity, hot water and space heating to each home. Global Solar will supply its state-of-the-art thin-film photovoltaic material for each home. The material will be installed on each rooftop, along with solar hot water heating units. "A primary goal of this unique housing development is to reduce commercially produced electricity usage by at least 75 percent," stated TEP President, Chairman and CEO James S. Pignatelli. "The use of Global Solar's modules will allow each of these homes to supply its own power. This new development will demonstrate what can be accomplished when you have the community, a major utility company and an energy-concerned builder working together with a solid vision."Groundbreaking for the neighborhood and construction of the homes is expected to begin this summer. The homes will range in price from $80,000 to $150,000, and will range in size from 800 to 1,200 square feet. In addition to the solar rooftop systems, new home construction will feature thermal mass walls, highly insulated windows, and other energy saving devices.