Phoenix Suns Go Solar

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Planet Orange is going green. The Phoenix Suns, APS and the City of Phoenix announced today plans to install a major solar panel power project at US Airways Center.

Suns guard Steve Nash, Suns General Manager Steve Kerr, APS President and CEO Don Brandt and Phoenix City Councilman Michael Johnson made the announcement, unveiling plans for a solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the fifth level of the US Airways Center parking garage. The system is expected to be operational in 2009.

"We expect the solar technology to reduce the traditional power usage for a portion of the center's Casino Arizona Pavilion load by about 25 percent or the equivalent of 26 Suns home games each season," said Kerr. "This demonstrates our ongoing commitment to promote and implement environmentally friendly initiatives that have a positive impact on everyone who follows the Suns or visits US Airways Center."

In addition to a financial incentive through the Renewable Incentive Program approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission, and safe interconnection to the grid, APS will provide supporting resources and expertise to the Suns organization and the City of Phoenix, which owns the arena. The 194-kilowatt AC solar energy system will be designed and installed by EI Solutions Inc., and financed and operated by Tioga Energy. The system will utilize 1,125 Suntech panels, will cover approximately 18,000 square feet and will produce 331,233 kilowatt-hours each year.

"We want to make Arizona the solar capital of the world, and clean, solar energy will play a vital role in Arizona's energy future," said APS' Brandt. "We got involved in this project because solar installations at large businesses make a tangible difference. Not only do they benefit the environment and the community, but they can also make good business sense."

"Our goal for Phoenix is to become the first sustainable city of the 21st Century. With this project, we have taken another step toward a sustainable Downtown, powered by renewable energy sources," said Mayor Phil Gordon. "Thanks to the Suns and APS, the US Airways Center solar project joins other large installations, such as the one at the Phoenix Convention Center, in reducing the city's carbon footprint."

By using the solar power system, the Phoenix Suns and APS will eliminate the generation of more than 440,000 pounds of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) per year from the environment (based upon Ariz. average per the EPA eGRID 2004 data). These emission offsets equal the CO2 absorbing power of 46 acres of pine trees or more than 440,000 car-miles avoided.

APS currently generates 145 megawatts from renewable sources such as solar, biomass and wind, or enough to power 37,000 homes. This number will continue to grow as APS adds renewable energy projects to its portfolio, including Solana, a 280-megawatt concentrating solar power plant, which will power 70,000 more homes when it comes online in 2011. Working with the Arizona Corporation Commission, the company also offers a number of residential and business renewable energy programs and incentives to customers; information is available at www.aps.com/gosolar.

In addition to the new solar project, the Phoenix Suns have incorporated a number of environmentally friendly practices into the organization's daily business routines including implementing recycling throughout employee offices and initiating an incentive-driven employee carpooling program.

About US Airways Center

The US Airways Center is owned by the City of Phoenix and managed by a subsidiary of Suns Legacy Partners, owners of the Suns (NBA), Mercury (WNBA) and the Phoenix Roadrunners hockey team (ECHL). The 19,000-seat, award-winning venue hosts 200 events a year including the Arizona Rattlers (AFL), concerts, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice shows, other family shows, sporting events, and conventions. More than two million guests attend events at the Center annually. For more information, log on to www.usairwayscenter.com.

About APS

APS, Arizona's largest and longest-serving electricity utility, serves about 1.1 million customers in 11 of the state's 15 counties. In 2008, APS won its second Edison Award in recognition of innovative leadership and operational excellence in the electric industry. Given annually by the Edison Electric Institute, the Edison Award is considered the industry's most prestigious honor. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (NYSE: PNW). More information on APS renewable energy programs can be found at www.aps.com.

About EI Solutions EI Solutions is one of California's fastest-growing providers of commercial and utility-scale solar power systems. The company has completed projects for a wide variety of public agencies and private companies including Sony, BT and the largest solar installation on a US corporate campus, a 1.6 megawatt system on Google's Mountain View headquarters. EI Solutions' headquarters are in San Rafael, California, where all engineering, project management, finance and administrative functions are based. EI Solutions also operates a sales and marketing office in Pasadena, California, at the home of its parent company, Energy Innovations. Energy Innovations, an Idealab company, has assembled a world-class team of experts in the fields of solar concentration and single axis tracking to deliver cost-effective, grid-competitive solar electric power. More information can be found at www.eispv.com or by calling 800-237-0916 .

About Tioga Energy

Tioga Energy enables commercial, government and non-profit organizations to reduce their energy costs while lowering carbon emissions. Through the SurePathSM solar power purchase agreement (PPA), Tioga Energy owns and operates renewable energy systems that provide organizations a hedge against energy price volatility and accelerate their access to clean energy without any capital outlay. For more information call 877-333-9787 or visit: www.tiogaenergy.com.

Copyright 2008 Business Wire All Rights Reserved