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The conference brings together policy makers to make solar energy a part of the state's future growth.

By University Communications
June 27, 2008

The Arizona Research Institute for Solar Energy, known as AzRISE together with U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords will host an event focusing on ways to expand the use of solar energy.

The Southern Arizona Solar Energy Development Conference will be held on Monday, June 30 at the Arizona Historical Society, which is located on the campus of The University of Arizona.

The day-long event is aimed at bringing together government policy makers who recognize the need to make solar energy an integral part of the area’s future growth.

Joseph H. Simmons, AzRISE co-director and head of the UA’s materials science and engineering department, joins Giffords and other speakers at the conference including Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup, Scottsdale Mayor Mary Manross and Arizona Corporation Commissioners Bill Mundell and Kris Mayes.

“Solar energy may be the one solution to provide additional energy to this population without significant water use and loss of air quality,” Simmons said. “We want to do whatever is possible to make solar energy generation cheaper and more efficient.”

AzRISE was established at the UA with a goal to fully develop the potential of solar energy. The institute does this through research, industry partnerships and policy solutions while also promoting outreach efforts, which makes it unique to the state of Arizona.

The research goals of AzRISE include identifying, funding and coordinating Arizona-specific solar energy research opportunities, developing intellectual property and promoting development and widespread adoption of solar energy.

According to the AZRise Web site, solar energy is the most abundant renewable source of energy in Arizona with the potential of generating all of the state’s current electricity needs using less than one quarter of one percent of the state’s land.

“After attending community meetings in Southern Arizona, I discovered that there was another need beyond solar energy research,” Simmons said. “The community was looking for leadership that would help businesses, utilities, local governments and others.”