Even with the Arizona sun beating down, the electric meter on Stephanie Feil’s home in the Rio Verde Foothills was spinning so slowly it was almost at a crawl Wednesday. Until the air conditioner kicked off. That’s when it started spinning backwards.

Gilbert plans later this month to remove some of the restrictions on installing solar power systems on homes and businesses, a move that one man says came too late because the red tape cost him extra time and money.

Kris Mayes believes the future of Arizona’s power supply is in panels, not poles. Mayes and her like-minded colleagues on the Arizona Corporation Commission say it’s pathetic that sun-drenched Arizona is behind California — and even New Jersey — when it comes to the amount of solar energy generated per capita.

A rare solar air-conditioning system was unveiled Wednesday at the Arizona National Guard Papago Park Military Reservation in Phoenix, which developers hope will lead to wider use of a technology that could drastically reduce demand for energy from the Valley’s electricity grid.

Gilbert resident Alan Morgan never considered himself to be an especially “green” sort of person. But when he read about how Valley utilities were offering rebates to help customers afford rooftop solar energy systems, he decided to look into the possibility of installing a solar system on his home.

Solar is getting hotter every day.

Bryan and Yvette Beaulieu’s nearly completed north Scottsdale home is nestled artfully amid big boulders and cactuses at the foot of towering Troon Mountain.

April 30, 2005

Queen Creek residents will find it's now easier and less expensive to "go green" as reduced, flat fees for permitting, inspection and plan review of solar photovoltaic and solar hot water heating systems are now in effect, according to a town statement.

Arizona has plenty of sun and just as great a need for new housing.

Tucked away in the foothills of White Tank Mountain Regional Park, an unobtrusive building is saving Maricopa County money.

Tucked away in the foothills of White Tank Mountain Regional Park, an unobtrusive building is saving Maricopa County money.

Tucked away in the foothills of White Tank Mountain Regional Park, an unobtrusive building is saving Maricopa County money.

Mesa Fire Station 219 is the first City of Mesa building to be given LEED certification.

Recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as a high-performing local weatherization agency, the city of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department (NSD) will receive a $700,000 Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers Grant for a pilot program to install solar or heat pump hot water systems in low- to moderate-income residents' homes.

Recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as a high-performing local weatherization agency, the city of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department (NSD) will receive a $700,000 Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers Grant for a pilot program to install solar or heat pump hot water systems in low- to moderate-income residents' homes.

Recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as a high-performing local weatherization agency, the city of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department (NSD) will receive a $700,000 Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers Grant for a pilot program to install solar or heat pump hot water systems in low- to moderate-income residents' homes.

Todd Landfried: Tom Patterson's May 10 commentary ("Politicians like 'green' energy; markets prefer nuclear power") presents a false choice by arguing that nuclear and renewable energy are mutually exclusive. They aren't. Anyone who really understands the power grid will tell you we need both. It's important to understand why.

Homeowners who survived the initial onslaught of harsh weather late last week might still want to take a number of precautions, as late-night temperatures are expected to stay in the low- to mid-30s through at least Tuesday.

Brian Hageman has devoted a good part of his life to building nuclear power plants. Now he is ready to commercialize a new type of engine that could drastically reduce the need for electricity — and save money in the process.

Brian Hageman has devoted a good part of his life to building nuclear power plants. Now he is ready to commercialize a new type of engine that could drastically reduce the need for electricity — and save money in the process.

February 14, 2005

Renewable energy is all the rage these days. With gasoline prices rising, with greenhouse gases and global warming at the forefront of public concern, the lure of pollution-free energy from windmills, photovoltaic solar panels and geothermal wells has never been stronger.

Renewable energy is all the rage these days. With gasoline prices rising, with greenhouse gases and global warming at the forefront of public concern, the lure of pollution-free energy from windmills, photovoltaic solar panels and geothermal wells has never been stronger.