Riding the Desert Rays: Arizona & Renewables

Solar panels in the Arizona desert at sunset, with the headline "Arizona: Exceptional Sunlight, Scalable Projects" overlaid in white text.

Arizona has long been defined by its sweeping desert landscapes and intense sunlight. Today, that same solar abundance is becoming a mainstay of the state’s energy strategy. With record-setting heatwaves, growing population centers, and innovative utilities, Arizona is investing heavily in the kind of infrastructure that supports clean, reliable, and responsive power. From rooftop PV to grid-scale batteries, renewable energy is shaping how the state prepares for the future.

Arizona by the Numbers

Arizona’s momentum in renewables is backed by strong solar growth and measurable clean energy outcomes:

  • Over 8 GW of total installed solar capacity (ranking 5th nationally)
  • Solar powers the equivalent of more than 1.2 million Arizona homes
  • 20% of the state’s electricity now comes from solar energy
  • Arizona ranks 7th in solar jobs, with over 8,400 workers statewide

Sources:
SEIA Arizona State Spotlight – 2025
U.S. Energy Information Administration

Conditions for Scalable, Profitable Clean Energy

Arizona’s growth in solar and battery storage is due to a mix of environmental, economic, and policy drivers. With more than 325 days of sun per year, the state has some of the best solar production potential in the nation.

Innovative utilities like Salt River Project (SRP) and Arizona Public Service (APS) are making major investments in renewable generation and grid-scale storage, laying the groundwork for long-term reliability and emissions reduction. As Arizona’s population and business centers continue to grow, the need for clean, resilient, and cost-effective infrastructure is creating even greater demand for energy innovation.

Powering Projects That Matter

BEI Construction has supported Arizona’s energy evolution with a growing portfolio of high-voltage and low-voltage projects that support solar generation, enhance grid stability, and modernize commercial infrastructure.

At the SRP Agua Fria Generating Station in Glendale, BEI played a key role in the construction of a 25 MW / 100 MWh battery energy storage system—one of Arizona’s largest standalone BESS installations. Powered by 35 Tesla Megapacks and developed in partnership with Tesla Energy, Commonwealth Electric, and Blymyer Engineers, the system stores solar energy during periods of low demand and dispatches it during peak usage, helping stabilize the grid and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

In Gilbert, BEI served as EPC contractor for the Superstition Energy Storage Project, a 90 MW / 360 MWh lithium-ion battery system developed by Plus Power. The system, commissioned in June 2024, plays a critical role in balancing SRP’s grid and integrating increasing levels of solar energy.

In Phoenix, BEI completed several large-scale photovoltaic projects in partnership with Ameresco. At the Wells Fargo Home Equity campus, BEI installed a 1.13 MW DC solar carport system using 2,826 modules. The scope included full electrical installation, trenching, boring, and integration of a data acquisition system with weather monitoring. Nearby, BEI also delivered a 739.4 kW solar parking canopy with 1,854 modules and a 732.1 kW system with 1,836 modules—each contributing to the expansion of commercial-scale clean energy infrastructure across the region.

In Tonopah, BEI supported the Harquahala 2 solar project by completing medium-voltage wire terminations on a single-axis tracker PV array.

In Glendale, BEI continues to support municipal clean energy initiatives. For the City of Glendale PV Construction Project, BEI was subcontracted by McKinstry to install 861.1 kW DC / 720 kW AC of solar across city-owned sites. The scope included solar module installation, trenching, cabling, grounding, lighting retrofits, and data systems. Additional city work includes a 627.84 kW system at the Foothills Recreation and Aquatic Center, and a 233.26 kW carport installation at the Glendale Regional Public Safety Training Center (GRPSTC), a facility that trains first responders across the region.

Low-Voltage

In addition to its work in renewable energy, BEI has strengthened Arizona’s commercial infrastructure through its low-voltage division. With projects spanning Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Scottsdale, Glendale, Gilbert, Prescott, Oro Valley, Tonopah, and Mayer, BEI has installed structured cabling systems for data centers and commercial buildings, and deployed access control technologies that support secure, scalable operations for growing enterprises.

Arizona’s Next Phase of Energy Infrastructure

Arizona’s natural solar advantage, paired with bold utility strategies and technological adoption, is driving a new era of energy resilience in the Southwest. As battery storage becomes more critical to grid stability and clean infrastructure becomes a business imperative, BEI Construction is proud to support the systems that make it all possible, with a deep commitment to the future of renewable energy.

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