Empire Southwest Adds Solar Power at Two Locations; Becomes Second Largest Solar System in SRP Territory

Empire Southwest began generating solar power at two of its Valley locations this week. The systems, which were installed at Empire locations in Mesa and Apache Junction, have a combined capacity of 600kW, and make Empire the second largest commercial solar power generator in Salt River Project territory.

"SRP commends Empire for their commitment to solar energy and we are proud to partner with them on this significant project," said Lori Singleton, SRP Manager of Sustainability Initiatives & Technologies.

A rooftop-mounted solar power system at Empire Precision Machining in Mesa is expected to provide 30 percent of the facility's power demand going forward. The Empire Rental operation in Apache Junction uses a ground-mounted array, which was installed on an otherwise un-useable part of the property. It is also expected to generate about 30 percent of that location's power. The project was made possible, in part, by an incentive from the SRP EarthWise Solar commercial program.

Empire, a long-time proponent of energy independence, plans to install solar power systems in at least two additional facilities in the next 12 months. The company has powered its Mesa corporate headquarters off the grid since 1968, using a pair of Caterpillar natural gas generators to generate electricity, and capturing waste heat from the engines to heat and cool the building.

"We are committed to using cleaner, more sustainable domestic power resources wherever possible," remarked Empire Chairman and CEO Jeff Whiteman.In 2008, Empire formed partnerships with solar leaders SunPower and Kyocera and created Empire Renewable Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary. Executive Vice President Chris Zaharis said that Empire Renewable Energy has provided more than three (3) megawatts of solar power design and installation services to Arizona businesses and homeowners to date, including a 6.5-acre system for the Cowley Industrial Park in Phoenix which is one of the largest rooftop solar power systems in the U.S.

For more information about Empire Renewable Energy projects, contact Karl Schmitt at 602-769-3451 or Karl.Schmitt@empire-cat.com.

About Empire Southwest, LLC

Empire Southwest is the authorized Caterpillar® dealer for heavy equipment and engines in Arizona, Southeastern California and portions of Northern Mexico. In addition, Empire is a provider of commercial solar power systems and an authorized dealer for agriculture machinery from AGCO, Challenger, Massey Ferguson and other leading manufactures. The third-generation, family owned company was founded in 1950 and is headquartered in Mesa, Arizona. Empire locations include Apache Junction, Buckeye, Casa Grande, Eloy, Flagstaff, Kingman, Nogales, Peoria, Phoenix, Prescott, Safford, Show Low, Tucson and Yuma, Arizona; Imperial and Blythe, California; and Mexicali, Mexico. More information is available at www.empirecat.com.

About SRP EarthWise Solar Energy

The SRP EarthWise Solar Energy program has allowed thousands of SRP customers to install solar systems on their rooftops. Since the program began in 2004, more than 6,200 customers have participated in the programs. More than 1,600 residential customers and 100 commercial customers will benefit from the program this fiscal year. SRP has currently provided or reserved incentives for 36 megawatts of solar energy from customer solar systems.

 

The SRP Board of Directors has established a goal that 15 percent of retail sales will be met by sustainable resources no later than 2025. Currently the sustainable portfolio is at 7.5 percent, which is ahead of schedule.

About KYOCERA

Kyocera Solar, Inc. (http://www.kyocerasolar.com) is a world-leading supplier of environmentally sound, solar electric energy solutions. With operating headquarters in Scottsdale, Ariz. and regional sales centers in the U.S., Brazil and Australia, Kyocera Solar, Inc. serves thousands of customers in both developed and developing regions. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kyocera International, Inc. of San Diego, the North American headquarters and holding company for Kyoto, Japan-based Kyocera Corporation.