By Tasha Anderson | AZBEX
Solar was the hot topic at Maricopa County’s November 5th Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, as three separate solar generating facility projects were on the agenda.
Each applicant, Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc., Sun Streams Expansion, LLC, and Candela Renewables LLC was requesting major comprehensive plan amendments to change the land use designations in their proposed areas from Rural and/or Residential to Utilities.
The projects, otherwise known as the Maricopa Solar and Storage Project, the Sun Streams Expansion Solar Project and the Vulcan Solar Project, are all located approximately 40-50 miles west of downtown Phoenix. According to the project documents, “The region is characterized by undeveloped desert areas, agriculture and sparse rural residential development,” and houses existing power generating stations like Palo Verde, Harquahala, Mesquite and the Redhawk Power Plant. “The proposed projects may be able to take advantage of existing power transmission infrastructure.”
