Tucson Electric Power (TEP) was awarded the 2012 Investor Owned Utility (IOU) of the Year by the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) this week for its leadership and investment in solar energy. TEP has over 45MW of solar generating capacity and expects to have more than 240MW of solar generating capacity by the end of 2014.
“We’ve worked very hard to embrace solar energy as a clean, renewable resource for our customers and an opportunity for economic development in our community. We couldn’t be more pleased to receive this honour,” said Paul Bonavia, chairman and CEO of TEP and its parent company, UNS Energy. “TEP has studied and maintained solar energy systems for more than a decade. In recent years, we’ve dramatically expanded our solar resources in Southern Arizona, and we are committed to adding solar resources in the future.”
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Bonavia and David Hutchens, president of TEP and UNS Energy were presented with the award during a ceremony before the beginning of the Edison Electric Institute convention. SEPA noted that it examined the 2011 solar energy initiatives of more than 50 utility companies. The organization specially evaluated completion of solar projects, program diversity, program partnerships, innovation, net-metering and interconnection policy, leadership and support from management, community awareness and marketing efforts, and customer service and accessibility.
