MOHAVE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE REACHES MILESTONE

Mohave Electric Cooperative’s community-based renewable energy program has reached the milestone of more than $1.5 million invested in 23 solar projects at schools, government buildings, fire stations, and non-profit facilities. The combined energy savings totaled 390,494 kilowatt hours at the end of 2011.

The largest projects are a 50 KW solar array at Bullhead City Hall, 40 KW at Mohave Community College (MCC), Bullhead City Campus, and a 20 KW system at Bullhead City Fire Station #1, scheduled for completion in March.

“We look for projects that help lower the operating cost of government and schools and benefit our members as taxpayers,” said Tyler Carlson, Mohave Electric CEO. “The investment brings immediate economic development dollars into the community during the construction phase. Then the long term savings in energy costs continues many years into the future,” Carlson said.

MEC’s renewable energy plan, as approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) provides most of the funding for the photovoltaic projects from the Renewable Energy Standard Tariff (REST), a surcharge on member bills that is mandated by the ACC. The Co-op also facilitated a federal stimulus grant (ARRA) of $323,000. Huguenin Rallapalli Foundation, a private non-profit administered by Krishna and Philine Rallapalli, donated $25,000 to both the  Boys and Girls Club (BGCCR) and MCC projects, and Robert Laster of Bullhead Solar donated $4,000 to the BGCCR.

“Now that all schools in MEC’s service territory are saving energy dollars with solar panels, our community-based program is focused on fire stations,” Carlson explained.

The subsidies provided by MEC’s renewable energy plan are intended to stimulate the renewable industry and help it grow to eventually stand on its own with cost effective solutions.  Rebate subsidies for residential and commercial systems are also included in the plan.