Solar

Solar panels shown on top of parking garages and other buildings on the ASU campus in Tempe, Tuesday, September 13, 2011. [Tim Hacker/Tribune]

Solar

Solar panels shown on top of parking garages and other buildings on the ASU campus in Tempe, Tuesday, September 13, 2011. [Tim Hacker/Tribune]

Solar

Jason Bressler of Goodwill shakes hands with Joel Hummell after Hummell passed the initial screening for the Rioglass Solar job fair at Surprise City Hall on Wednesday. Hummell is from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and is visiting his grandmother in Sun City West. He is looking to find a job in Arizona.

Solar

Jason Bressler of Goodwill shakes hands with Joel Hummell after Hummell passed the initial screening for the Rioglass Solar job fair at Surprise City Hall on Wednesday. Hummell is from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and is visiting his grandmother in Sun City West. He is looking to find a job in Arizona.

Solar

Job seekers form a long line around Surprise City Hall Wednesday as Rioglass Solar sought more than 100 employees for its parabolic solar glass factory. After a 25-minute orientation explaining the objective of the company, each applicant was given a initial screening. Those who met the qualifications were scheduled for interviews on Thursday and Friday.

Solar

Jason Bressler of Goodwill shakes hands with Joel Hummell after Hummell passed the initial screening for the Rioglass Solar job fair at Surprise City Hall on Wednesday. Hummell is from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and is visiting his grandmother in Sun City West. He is looking to find a job in Arizona.

Solar

Job seekers form a long line around Surprise City Hall Wednesday as Rioglass Solar sought more than 100 employees for its parabolic solar glass factory. After a 25-minute orientation explaining the objective of the company, each applicant was given a initial screening. Those who met the qualifications were scheduled for interviews on Thursday and Friday.

Solar

Job seekers form a long line around Surprise City Hall Wednesday as Rioglass Solar sought more than 100 employees for its parabolic solar glass factory. After a 25-minute orientation explaining the objective of the company, each applicant was given a initial screening. Those who met the qualifications were scheduled for interviews on Thursday and Friday.

Solar

The White Tank Branch Library & Nature Center has 228 rooftop-mounted solar panels. The panels produce about 25 percent of the facility’s annual energy needs. The center is at the entrance to the White Tank Mountain Regional Park.

Solar

The White Tank Branch Library & Nature Center has 228 rooftop-mounted solar panels. The panels produce about 25 percent of the facility’s annual energy needs. The center is at the entrance to the White Tank Mountain Regional Park.

Solar

Joe Hernandez, left, and Jason Tasker are reflected in two of 60 solar heating panels on the rooftop of the Beardsley Recreation Center in Sun City West on Thursday afternoon. The two are working for Tempe-based Carlson Solar Technologies. After being approached by Sun City West management, the company suggested installing a solar array for the center’s heating needs. Water, room temperature and the Olympic-sized swimming pool will all utilize the sun’s energy for a smaller carbon footprint and a cheaper natural gas bill. Mike Scalia of Carlson Solar says the panels complete the largest thermal pool heating system in Arizona. All together, he estimates that the center will save about $16,000-$17,000 a month. “Thermal really is the best way to heat water,” Scalia said. “The Valley just gets so much sun.”

Solar

Joe Hernandez, left, and Jason Tasker are reflected in two of 60 solar heating panels on the rooftop of the Beardsley Recreation Center in Sun City West on Thursday afternoon. The two are working for Tempe-based Carlson Solar Technologies. After being approached by Sun City West management, the company suggested installing a solar array for the center’s heating needs. Water, room temperature and the Olympic-sized swimming pool will all utilize the sun’s energy for a smaller carbon footprint and a cheaper natural gas bill. Mike Scalia of Carlson Solar says the panels complete the largest thermal pool heating system in Arizona. All together, he estimates that the center will save about $16,000-$17,000 a month. “Thermal really is the best way to heat water,” Scalia said. “The Valley just gets so much sun.”

Solar

Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman speaks outside a group home run by The Centers for Habiltation in Tempe that will be installed with a photo voltaic system which will cover up to half of the homes electric needs, Friday, May 21, 2010 in Tempe.

Solar power

The solar power array at Nellis Air Force Base uses tracking devices to keep the solar panels pointed toward the sun. Tilted toward the south, each set of solar panels rotates around a central bar to track the sun from east to west.

Solar Sites

The Bureau of Land Management identified two "solar energy zones" in Arizona, in Brenda and Gillespie, part of the 17 sites the agency identified on federal lands in six Western states as ripe fo solar-power development.

Solar Eclipse

YMCA Solar

A trio of solar canopies provide covered parking at the Chandler/Gilbert Family YMCA, 1655 W. Frye Road, Chandler. (Photo courtesy Signature Green PR)

First Solar

The First Solar plant being constructed in Mesa, shown Thursday, October 6, 2011. [Tim Hacker/ Tribune]

First Solar

The First Solar plant being constructed in Mesa, shown Thursday, October 6, 2011. [Tim Hacker/ Tribune]

First Solar

The First Solar plant being constructed in Mesa, shown Thursday, October 6, 2011. [Tim Hacker/ Tribune]

First Solar

The First Solar plant being constructed in Mesa, shown Thursday, October 6, 2011. [Tim Hacker/ Tribune]

Solar power

Solar panels

Homes in the Ahwatukee Foothills sport solar panels.

Solar panels

Homes in the Ahwatukee Foothills sport solar panels.