A Cleaner, Greener Grid
Tucson Electric Power has a continually expanding portfolio of wind, solar and energy storage systems that help us provide affordable, reliable and sustainable energy service.
Our investment in clean energy resources will continue as we reduce our reliance on coal. TEP added more than 450 megawatts (MW) of new wind and solar capacity in 2021, more than doubling our total renewable energy portfolio to more than 1,000 megawatts (MW). In 2022, we built a new 12.5 MW solar array designed for customers who want to go solar through TEP’s GoSolar Home program.
In 2023, we announced plans for a new 200-MW battery energy storage system called Roadrunner Reserve. And in 2024, we announced plans for Winchester Solar, a new 80 MW solar and 80 MW energy storage system in Cochise County. We're also exploring options to invest in additional energy storage, fast-ramping natural gas generators and other facilities needed to support new renewable resources.
TEP, recognized worldwide as an industry leader in renewable energy, will continue to invest in innovative, cost-effective renewable programs that offer benefits for all customers.
To see where our clean energy resources are located, click here.
Supporting solar for everyone
TEP is working to provide customers with more opportunities to go solar.
The TEP GoSolar Shares program allows residential and business customers to cover some or all of their electrical needs by purchasing locally generated solar power.
Our TEP GoSolar Home program, currently at capacity, allowed homeowners to get all their power from a local TEP solar array for a fixed price that won’t change for a decade.
TEP also developed hundreds of rooftop solar arrays through its innovative TEP Residential Solar Program, a pilot project that provided fixed-price electric service using solar arrays installed on customers’ homes.
Considering solar for your home or business? Here are important questions to consider. Or, click here to learn more about connecting to TEP’s local distribution system.
Innovation in solar & other renewable resources
TEP, which built its first large solar array more than a decade ago, understands the importance of innovation in advancing renewable energy. We’re installing innovative energy storage systems to help enhance the resiliency of the local electric gird and support the expansion of solar power resources.
The Solar Zone—a joint venture of TEP, the University of Arizona and solar developers—is the largest multi-technology solar testing, evaluation and demonstration site in the United States. The Solar Zone is located at the University of Arizona Science and Technology Park in Tucson.
Researchers and scientists in the UA Renewable Energy Network work closely with TEP personnel to test solar panels, forecast weather, experiment with different solar technologies and develop batteries for storing energy.
TEP’s renewable energy portfolio
| Project Name | In Service | Location | Capacity (MW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar | |||
| TEP Owned (Utility Scale) | |||
| Raptor Ridge | 2022 | Tucson | 12.5 |
| Fort Huachuca Phase II | 2017 | Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista | 4.4 |
| White Mountain Solar | 2014 | Springerville | 8.5 |
| Fort Huachuca Phase I | 2014 | Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista | 13.6 |
| Solon Prairie Fire | 2012 | Old Vail & Valencia, Tucson | 4.5 |
| UASTP II | 2011 | UA Tech Park * | 4.5 |
| UASTP I | 2010 | UA Tech Park * | 1.5 |
| Springerville Expansion 2 | 2010 | Springerville | 0.62 |
| Springerville Expansion 1 | 2010 | Springerville | 1.0 |
| Springerville | 2004 | Springerville | 3.7 |
| Total Owned: | 54.5 | ||
| Power Purchase (Utility Scale) | |||
| Winchester (80 MW) | 2027 | Cochise County | |
| Wilmot Energy Center | 2021 | Tucson | 100 |
| Iron Horse | 2017 | UA Tech Park | 2 |
| Avalon Solar II | 2016 | Sahuarita | 16 |
| Red Horse Solar | 2015 | Willcox | 41 |
| Avalon Solar | 2014 | Sahuarita | 29 |
| Cogenra | 2014 | UA Tech Park * | 1 |
| Valencia Solar | 2013 | Valencia & Interstate 10, Tucson | 10 |
| E.On Tech Park | 2012 | UA Tech Park * | 4.8 |
| Gato Montes Solar | 2012 | UA Tech Park * | 5 |
| Avra Valley | 2012 | Marana | 25 |
| Picture Rocks | 2012 | Marana | 20 |
| Amonix UASTP Solar Power Generation Station | 2011 | UA Tech Park * | 2 |
| Total Power Purchase: | 256 | ||
| Total Utility Scale Solar: | 310.2 | ||
| Rooftop Solar Systems | |||
| Residential | 261.6 AC | ||
| Commercial | 149.5 AC | ||
| Total Rooftop Solar Systems: | 411.1 | ||
| Total Solar: | 721.3 | ||
| Wind | |||
| TEP Owned (Utility Scale) | |||
| Oso Grande | 2021 | Southwest NM | 250 |
| Power Purchase (Utility Scale) | |||
| Borderlands Wind | 2021 | Catron County, NM | 99 |
| Red Horse Wind | 2015 | Willcox | 30 |
| Macho Springs | 2011 | Deming, NM | 50.4 |
| Total Wind: | 429.4 | ||
| Other | |||
| Total Renewable Resources: | 1,151 MW AC | ||
TEP’s energy storage portfolio
| Project Name | In Service | Location | Capacity (MW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester (80 MW) | 2027 | Cochise County | |
| Roadrunner Reserve (200 MW) | 2025 | Tucson | |
| Wilmot Energy Center | 2021 | Tucson | 30 |
| Pima Energy Storage | 2017 | Tucson | 10 |
| Iron Horse | 2017 | Tucson | 10 |
| Total Battery Energy Storage Capacity: | 50 MW | ||